My Favorite Bird Apps
Part of parenting is teaching our kids how to use technology wisely. This means introducing them to apps that motivate them to engage in the world around them.
Nature apps are a great way to bridge this connection and spark a new sense of wonder with kids. Since I’m a bird lover, bird apps are some of my favorite apps. It’s easy to identify a bird using an app when you’re out on a hike. And, there are bird apps that help identify birds by their songs as well. A few well-chosen bird apps will have you identifying birds beyond the basic backyard robin in no time. I’ve tested lots of great apps for birding.
Here are My Favorite Bird Apps
The Audubon Society
Merlin
Merlin is FREE in the iTunes and Google Play Store!
Eye Love Birds
Larkwire
Larkwire is $14.99 in the iTunes store or purchase as a web-based app.
eBird Mobile Bird Apps
eBird gives you a paperless way to log your bird sightings. Use this app to track and upload your sightings right to eBird from the field, at home, or on the go. You’ll never lose track of which species you’ve seen and where.
eBird Mobile is FREE in the iTunes and Google Play Store.
If you are interested in learning more about birds use eBird Mobile and join us Friday, February 17, through Monday, February 20, 2017 for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Anyone can take part in the GBBC. For as little as 15 minutes, beginning bird watchers to experts participate simply by counting birds from their backyard, or favorite birding spot. Of course, you can count birds longer than 15 minutes, and you can participate every day of the event.
Paid Bird Apps
The following apps do have a small cost.
iPro Birds – North America
What’s so great about the Great Backyard Bird Count?
You don’t have to be a birding expert to take part.
Is a robin the only bird you can identify? That’s fine. GBBC encourages you to count the birds you can identify. Kids are often inspired to learn when they are involved. This event very well may have them off on their own learning quest as they seek to identify the feathered friends they see. Let your kids use some bird apps to identify birds in your backyard. Then let them submit their findings using eBird Mobile. Be sure to check out the GBBC for kids website. There are lots of resources available so kids can learn more about birds.
It’s easy and fun to participate.
According to their website, GBBC simply asks participants to “Count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC.” You can count longer than 15 minutes, or you can participate one day or all 4 days. It’s up to you! You can submit your findings paper-free using eBird Mobile or submit your list directly on the website as well. GBBC has downloadable instructions available. They also have an instructional video.
If your family is feeling a bit housebound, download a few bird apps. Then, look outside and enjoy the birds in your yard.
More Ways To Learn About Birds
- Why Study Backyard Birds
- Notebooking Backyard Birds
- Attracting Birds To Your Backyard
- Bird Beak Experiment
- Easy To Make Bird Feeders
- Bald Eagle Unit Study Ideas
- The Great Backyard Bird Count
- Hands-On Bird Nest Study
- Hummingbird Field Trip
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Leah Nieman is a wife and mom of 2 homeschool graduates. She’s a popular speaker who encourages parents to walk with their kids through the world of social media and technology so we raise a generation of digitally responsible young adults. You can find her eBooks Connected: Apps All Parents Should Know, Let’s Get Social: A Straightforward Guide for Kids on Social Media, and Connected: A Parent’s Guide to Snapchat, as well as tips on technology and social media at leahnieman.com.