Big Year Birding ABA 6.41

Big Year Birding presents a streamlined solution for bird watchers at any experience level, facilitating the recording of bird sightings in the field.

This application is useful for various purposes, whether participating in a Big Year, engaging in a local Christmas Bird Count, or simply cataloging the birds observed in one's backyard. The app's user-friendly interface promotes an enjoyable and efficient recording process, capable of generating eBird upload files with just one click.

Upon sighting a bird, users can easily add their observation. The app automatically captures the time, date, and precise location using GPS coordinates, displaying the bird with a photo icon on both a map and in a sortable sighting table. The “bird search” feature allows for quick retrieval of bird names.

The "Recent e-Bird Sightings" functionality provides users with information on species reported near their current location or any designated area. This data is organized in a sortable table and mapped for ease of reference. A simple button click yields turn-by-turn navigation to recent sightings.

For those uncertain about their identification, the "Local Birds" feature offers historical data on birds commonly seen in a specified area across all U.S. counties and Canadian provinces. This section includes helpful images and sighting frequencies, as well as links to reputable online resources for further assistance.

Planning a trip or looking for birds during downtime while traveling? The "Local Birds" function allows users to explore anticipated sightings by month anywhere within the ABA region.

While in the field or traveling by vehicle, tapping the eBird Button reveals nearby recent bird sightings. Users can access directions to these locations with another tap.

If an identifying sound has been heard, users can indicate "identified by ear" within the comments section, along with gender specifications (male or female) and whether the sighting took place in a public or private area. Ample space is available for personal notes. For convenient counting, users can tap “count” to swiftly log their observations.

The app performs reliably even in remote areas without internet or mobile service.

With full recognition from the American Birding Association, every North American bird species is cataloged within the Big Year Birding database. Users will see official bird images upon entry; however, they can also upload their own photographs. Additionally, links to Cornell and Wikipedia websites provide further insights into each species.

If a bird is mistakenly selected, users have the option to cancel before finalizing their entry or can delete it later by swiping left on the recorded sighting.

While it’s feasible to manually input rare North American erratics, the app currently boasts an extensive list of 1,059 birds including 126 erratic entries. Following the ABA's expansion of its region to include Hawaii, 76 Hawaiian species have also been incorporated into the app.

Sightings can be exported to another device running Big Year Birding—ideal for those using different devices while birding and at home or sharing lists with family and friends.

If the user possesses an Apple Watch (though not mandatory), they benefit from features such as checking sightings (“Do I have an Anna's Hummingbird?”), monitoring monthly counts (“How many birds do I have this month?”), and even logging a sighting directly from their wrist while their phone remains stowed away.

Big Year Birding offers robust customization options; users can display their sightings by date, location, or species. It’s possible to view life lists, year-to-date lists, home state lists, or view past sightings with just one tap.

Additionally, users have the capability to share their sightings via text messages, email, social media platforms like Facebook, and upload them directly to their eBird accounts.

Designed by birders for birders, Big Year Birding is poised to become an essential tool for any avid bird watcher.