(feel free to click slides for larger view)
iBird pro is finally here in the android market! Now this might be a slight divergence from my typical photography, but for us photographers on the constant go we rely on our digital companions to pick up the slack for us. Sure we could use a regular field guide, but sometimes you forget it and what is always with you? Your phone. It is completely interactive, searchable and notable. It has been on the iPhone for quite sometime and now with the recent influx of android users we are starting to get some fantastic apps as well. Plus it costs no more then your regular field guide at Barnes & Noble. I have taken a ton of screenshots from using the program on my Motorola Droid and I thought I would add my 2 cents on the subject without adding any mobile operating system prejudice 
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The app is listed as a 20mb download from the market. Once installed my phone tells me it is a total of 11.47mb. Not bad for such a tool that can do so much. Many games take up more space. All the bird data is stored on the SD card (we will get to that.)
Once the app is stored we locate the app (in this case I put it in a folder of mine) and click to launch.
Synchronization and Getting Started
When the app starts up you are first asked to register and then you are greeted with this synchronize screen. Here is where you can select some or all of the bird data you would like to sync (add) to your SD card. The amount of data is quite large and is recommended to use a wi-fi connection to provide fast and steady transfer of all the information. Watch how long your screen takes to time out (darken) or connect it to your power outlet and make sure it stays awake while plugged in so your phone doesn’t sleep breaking the data download connection. You might ask yourself why so much data? Well if you are adventurous like most birders and wildlife enthusiasts that 3g connection of yours doesn’t follow you everywhere. The beauty of this is that all the function of the app including photos, sounds, info and plates are accessible with no Internet connection. There are some Internet features built-in (we will get to it soon) but they are not crucial to using the full functionality of the app.
Main Screen
This is the main screen where you start out. It’s simple yet customizable. You can quickly type in part or all of a birds names and the results will sort themselves live right in front of you. A fantastic feature that will save you from having to scroll all the way through. Even Latin capable for those who are more familiar with the specifics.
You can change the order of the bird list by first name, last name, or family name. A great feature for those who might be accustomed to a certain order their paper field guides may use.
Search
From the main screen by hitting the menu button on your device you get 3 options. Search, quick access to your marked favorites, and more where you can find settings and other goodies. The search is a fantastically deep option that allows you to search by a huge list of options.
This is how the search section looks. To list all the options you have to search: (great for newbies learning to bird, or tricky rare identifications) location, shape, size, habitat, primary color, secondary color, backyard feeder, family, conservation status, observed state/month, song, song pattern, length range, weight range, wing shape, flight pattern, tail shape, wingspan, leg color, head pattern, breast pattern, belly pattern, back pattern, crown color, forehead color, cere color, throat color, nape color, eye color, bill shape, bill length, ear tuft, game bird, order; Phew! (see gallery for all the extra section images) More then enough options to cover the ‘General, Impression and Size’ (G.I.S.) technique.
You will go through those listed options and check them off as you go. They even give you visual or auditory examples of your choices. A huge plus if you aren’t too sure how to describe a song or pattern of plumage. My one issue when going back and forth through looking at the options is how to jump back to the options. When in some of the choice option sections you might instinctively click the back button and that will bring you back to the main screen with all the birds. It appears you need to click the search option in the upper left corner to get back to your choices. It’s a small price to pay and something that may get cleared up. It by no means impedes your ability to search, but may take some time to get used to.
The settings menu is nice and simple. It allows you to backup/restore your notations and favorites, choose your language, remember your location with note entries, and loop sounds if you don’t always hear the key notes the first time.
Bird Selection Screen
Once you select a bird from your results list you see this screen first. A plate (drawing) of the bird. All your options will be on that dual gray slidable bar along the bottom. Your options include: birds and their plumage types, audio sounds, range, similar, identify, facts, photos, Birdpedia, mark as favorite, Flickr, notepad, family, portrait, ecology. Many of these options are self explanatory. Although don’t mistake them for short and sweet. Many of these options are jam packed with goodness and information. The great thing about this program too is that not only are you ID’ing birds, but you are learning a wealth of information. A huge key to not only finding them, but knowing how to find them. Making your photographic agenda that much easier. If you want to get closer to nature take note people.
Internet Features
I love these built in Internet accessible features such as Birdpedia and Flickr. They don’t require opening the browser to view. A HUGE plus. Although android can be a multi-tasking wizard I don’t always like to jump around. I don’t know if all of you have had the pleasure of using a Wikipedia like service, but including it in the app is a smart move.
Identification
Identification can be done through an immense description of the bird and its features. Some of us are highly visual people and this might not feel as comfortable. They do provide both drawings (plate(s)) and photos for us visual people. One thing lacking here I personally think are arrows pointing to major distinguishable features. Helps things move quickly in my experience. I don’t know if it’s a trademarked feature however so it very well may not be their fault. That being said the described identifying characteristics include: Body details such as weight, height, overall colors and patterns for both the body and head, flight patterns and characteristics, general characteristics that would be seen as your more ‘key’ identifiers, range and habitat, breeding and nesting, foraging and feeding, diet, vocalization, similar species, breeding location, breeding type, egg color, number of eggs, egg incubator(s), incubation days, nest material and migration.
The more section includes not only the settings section as I mentioned earlier, but key shortcuts to more useful resources. Such as FAQ in your web browser, their twitter page, the support forum to as the community questions, synchronizing more birds if you didn’t select all, sending a crash report, and the glossary.
The Glossary
The glossary is an awesome feature for those who might not understand all the jargon throughout the program or even one you came across in some bird literature. You can even leave notes to come back to.
Stability
When it comes to usage of this app on my Motorola Droid the stability is absolutely impeccable. They have taken real care and time in producing this app. I know as I was one of the people bugging them on their Facebook page eager for release details! Although my experience was limited in directly getting responses they made sure to keep their eager fans aware and informed as necessary while still keeping in the trade secret goodies. I have been really wowed by this application and can’t wait to dig around more and get the most out of this application. I think 20$ is a steal as I was willing to pay 30$ which I believe is the price on the iphone. There may be some differences (I don’t own apple products), but I can tell you there is nothing I felt was missing and nothing that failed to work. I have run into zero force closures (crashing) while using all its features.
Another thing to note is that upon registering you get a 6month trial to register for making your own personal field guides at www.WhatBird.com. A great touch to an app that already offers so much. I hope this encourages you to give this a try (you have 24hrs to return it on the android market) and I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed. I want to note that I paid for this app out of my own pocket and was not approached or encouraged to write this. Just me up late on the computer wanting to share a great nature photographers tool that has just recently hit the Android market.
Take a look at many more screenshots I couldn’t post here on a gallery I hosted here
Pros:
- Full featured field guide on the go
- Immense amount of searchable options
- Many options that allow newbies and amatures to feel comfortable
- Not only a tool but a resource that helps you learn
- Quick access to help and news update services
- Glossary for Jargon
- 6 month free trial at www.whatbird.com
- Built in browser for many of the expanded internet options ex. birdpedia
- Priced very fairly
- Incredibly Stable
- Satisfies both the visual and literary birder
- Main functions all functional without data connection including audio and photos
- Audio continues to play as you work within the application
Cons:
- Slight issue with moving between searchable options
- Possible better location for marking your favorites. Maybe adding a star option in the bird list?
Notes:
- Addition of arrows on key identifying features would be awesome (possible trademark issue holding it back?)
- 20$ is an introductory price so get it at that price while you can!
Direct Link if your on an Android Mobile Click Here
Scan The QR barcode with your Barcode Reader to go straight to the app in the android market!
