The bird count app is used to record and submit bird sightings for bird monitoring projects. There are a few major bird count apps that are used in North America, such as eBird, iNaturalist, and Birdseye. These apps allow birdwatchers to log bird sightings, keep track of checklists, and share data with scientists and researchers. The data collected through these apps provide valuable information about bird populations, migration patterns, and habitat use.
What is a bird count?
A bird count, sometimes called a bird census, is a survey method used by ornithologists and bird enthusiasts to estimate bird populations and monitor migration patterns. During a bird count, observers record all the birds they see or hear within a specific area over a set time period. The data collected during bird counts provide a snapshot of the local bird numbers and diversity. Scientists can analyze the data over time to detect changes and trends in bird populations.
Some common types of bird counts include:
– Christmas Bird Counts – These take place each year between December 14-January 5 across North America. It’s the longest running wildlife census.
– Breeding Bird Surveys – These surveys monitor breeding bird populations across North America.
– Migration counts – These counts target migratory hotspots and focus on counting the numbers of migrating birds.
– Big Day counts – During these informal competitions, birders try to record the highest number of species in a single day.
History of bird counts
Bird counts and early bird monitoring efforts began in the late 1800s. In 1900, the Audubon Society started an annual Christmas Bird Count. Bird watchers carried out these early counts by going out into the field, identifying birds by sight and sound, recording the data on paper, and submitting results to compilers.
In the 1960s, Chandler Robbins and colleagues developed the Breeding Bird Survey to monitor continental bird populations. This formalized survey route system used standardized data collection methods and paved the way for large-scale bird monitoring.
Over the years, citizen science projects like bird counts gained traction, engaging hundreds of thousands of volunteers. Advances in technology like the internet, digital photography, and smartphones made it easier to collect, organize, and share bird data on a massive scale.
Today, apps provide new opportunities for bird monitoring by making data collection instant and efficient right from a mobile device. While pen and paper still have a place, bird count apps help gather data on an unprecedented scale.
Major bird count apps
eBird
eBird, created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is considered the most widely used bird count app. This free app allows users to log bird sightings from anywhere in the world. There are also regional portals like eBird Canada and eBird Mexico.
Key features:
– Build bird checklists from sightings
– Explore dynamic maps and graphs
– Photos can be uploaded to sightings
– Data go into scientific database for research
– Available as website and mobile app
Over 100 million sightings are logged on eBird to date from all over the world. The data help scientists track migration, assess populations, set conservation priorities, and look at trends.
iNaturalist
iNaturalist is a joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic Society. While not just for birds, it is popular with birders for logging sightings.
Key features:
– Capture photos to help ID unknown species
– Submit sightings to be crowdsourced for ID
– Connect with experts for help with identification
– Available as website and mobile app
Beyond birds, iNaturalist covers all types of organisms. Users have contributed over 50 million sightings of over 400,000 species. The dataset helps scientists study biodiversity, species distribution, and more.
Merlin Bird ID
The Merlin Bird ID app created by the Cornell Lab is focused specifically on bird identification. Users answer simple questions about a bird sighting and Merlin suggests possible matches.
Key Features:
– Get ID suggestions for unknown birds
– Answer intuitive questions about sightings
– Extensive library of bird photos and sounds
– Add photos from camera for help with ID
– Start learning birds right in the app
While less research-oriented than eBird, Merlin is useful for learning bird ID skills and satisfying curiosity about an unknown bird. The artificial intelligence continuously improves as more sightings are logged.
Birdseye
Birdseye is an Australian app tailored to that country’s unique birdlife. It functions similarly to eBird with customizable data fields for logging sightings.
Key features:
– Targeted for Australian bird species
– Flexible data entry with custom fields
– Photos can be added to sightings
– User discussion forums to connect with the birding community
– Data used for scientific study of Aussie birds
Birdseye provides a digital bird list and data repository specialized for the birds of Australia. Users can keep track of their birding goals while contributing sightings for research and conservation.
Using a bird count app
The basics of using a bird count app are pretty straightforward. Here are some tips for getting started:
1. Download the app – Select an app like eBird or iNaturalist and download onto your mobile device or access the website. Create a free user account.
2. Learn the features – Take some time to get familiar with the app’s features and settings. Set up your preferences.
3. Find a birding hotspot – Search for a promising nearby location to go birding based on recommendations or eBird hotspot maps.
4. Note key details – While birding, take note of species, numbers, time, location, habitat, behavior and other details.
5. Log sightings – Open the app and input your bird sightings with any notes, details and photos. Submit to share the data.
6. Review past checklists – Look at past submissions to get totals, review photos and revisit old birding locations.
7. Set birding goals – Use the app data to make birding goals for your life list, year list or local patches.
Consistency is key – the more regularly you log sightings, the more rewarding the app becomes for tracking your birding progress.
Benefits of bird count apps
Bird count apps offer many benefits both for individuals birdwatchers and for scientific study of birds:
**For birdwatchers**
– Track bird sightings in detail with customizable fields
– Digitally store bird photos, sounds and location details
– Access old birding records at any time
– View birding trends and patterns over time
– Set and meet birding goals
– Identify skills gaps like ID challenges
– Share memorable bird moments on social media
– Compete on birding lists with friends and the community
– Earn badges and recognition for birding achievements
**For science and conservation**
– Collect vast amounts of bird data through crowdsourcing
– Achieve large-scale, long-term, standardized monitoring
– Detect significant population and distribution changes
– Analyze habitat use, movement patterns and trends
– Assess threatened species and guide conservation efforts
– Discover shifts in migration timing and impacts
– Inform land management, policymaking and research
– Generate data for scientific publications and policy action
– Increase public engagement in science and stewardship
Challenges and limitations
Bird count apps do have some inherent challenges and limitations:
– Requires technology and internet access in the field
– Battery life constraints on longer birding outings
– Learning curve to navigate apps efficiently
– Difficulty accurately estimating large flock sizes
– Incomplete data due to irregular birding coverage
– Biases from uneven observer effort and experience level
– Identification errors from beginning birders
– Ensuring data quality with vetting high count reports
– Privacy concerns submitting precise bird locations
– Potential disturbance to birds when using apps while observing wildlife
Despite these drawbacks, bird count apps provide immense value. Ongoing improvements to app interfaces, battery life, data validation, and birding etiquette help maximize benefits and minimize downsides.
The future of bird count apps
Some exciting innovations in bird count apps are on the horizon:
– Increased geolocation accuracy with GPS improvements
– Enhanced augmented reality features
– Audio recognition to identify bird vocalizations
– Improved AI capabilities for instant bird ID assistance
– Gamification through rewarding participation and achievements
– Social networking for birders to connect on outings and challenges
– Tighter integration with weather data, maps layers, and birding equipment
– Use of push notifications to log sightings and share alerts
– Support for video submissions and livestreams
– Tools that assess data completeness and guide survey gaps
– Recognition of experience level to enhance data validity
– Mechanisms to incentivize quality over quantity in participation
The continued evolution of bird count apps will open up more possibilities for community science efforts that advance bird conservation while connecting people with nature.
Conclusion
Bird count apps are transforming bird monitoring and research. By tapping into the power of crowdsourcing and mobile technology, they enable scientists to analyze bird populations, movement, and trends on massive geographic scales. For bird enthusiasts, these apps provide helpful tools to improve ID skills, set birding goals, and contribute data to conservation. Despite some limitations, bird count apps create a win-win scenario that advances science and engages the public. As the apps continue to evolve with new innovations, they will become even more valuable for studying and appreciating birds around the globe.