Bird Recognition

Greg9 · Veteran Member

Bird Recognition

Ron-D · Guru

Good luck Greg,I wanted to buy a bird recognition book some time ago as well, but there confusing there's hundreds of birds pictured in most of the books and I found it hard to figure out what I was looking at ,as a lot of them looked so similar I just gave the Idea away...

dishlicker · Senior Member

Hi Greg

This maybe no help at all. But i found most of the books i were after at the Salvos opp shop, or similar outlets

woolman · Guru

The wife has a bird recognition app recommended by serious twitters. Michael Morcome & David Stewart, eGuide to Australian Birds. Been very good for us. Also has the sounds as well. Cost about $30

Yabbietol · Veteran Member

Two really good bird apps are in the Apple store for iPhone and iPad, they probably can be purchased for android.

They are "PK birds" based on the paper book by Pizzy and Knight "Birds of Australia" which is one of the best paper field guides there is also "The Michael Morcombe and David Stewart "Guide to Australian Birds". They are expensive apps around $50 for PK and $30 for the other. We own both books they are based on and while they are both really good books, the apps are much better for use in the bush.

The apps both have all the features of the books plus other really useful features such as better distribution maps, identification tools and recorded calls. I should point out it is not ethical to use recording of bird call to attract or flush birds as it disrupts breeding and can cause some birds to leave a particular area. The calls are however really good for identification. Once you buy either app they can be put on your iPhone and iPad for not extra cost, we have them legally on 4 devices.

Of the two the one we use the most is the $50 "PK birds" and if your budget extends to $50 go for it, but if not the $30 app is still better than most books. These two apps have been put together by really respected authors and we used the $30 app for a few years before we got the $50 app.

For really good info on birding strongly suggest a visit to Birdlife Australia web site. They also run some really good reserves such as Gluepot in SA, which have nice bush camping for a small fee. The reserves are mainly for 4WD and off road caravans (OK dirt roads that are weather dependant), but some are easily accessible by touring vans, such as Clarkesdale Vic and Broome Bird Observatory WA.

birdlife.org.au

Enjoy your birding.
Regards
Terry

Splottboy · Senior Member

Try this ... http://www.michaelmorcombe.com.au/

rayjudesmith · Veteran Member

We use the android app called Australian Birds Guide Gaia Guide - we find it very easy to use and it was very useful on our trip out today - we saw a duck which we thought had a growth of some sort on it - turned out to be a male Musk Duck. We are real novices when it comes to the HUGE variety of birdlife in Australia but this app really suits our needs.

NeilandRaine · Guru

the one I use and works for me

PeterD · Guru

Try this one - it is accessible through Google Play.