Almost there but not complete
An excellent app but the rating is kept low because of a number of essential requirements need sorting/adding. Managing lists is incredibly difficult; using and retaining previous locations does not always work (even if I delete a sighting and start again), it does not default to the taxonomical list order I set but keeps showing date order. I would also like to copy an entry between lists and what if I change my device or want to share my list between iPhone and iPad? How about sharing sightings on social media? Managing locations should be a separate menu option with a larger screen to drop the pin. Above all there are no help pages. This is a premium cost app without premium features.
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DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!
I think the good reviews were seeded here when the app was first released. This is a pretty app, but the interface is sparse (as in it doesn't have many features) and the search engine is useless--you can choose a variety of criteria but it's not clear that what then appears is a subset or just an entire section (e.g. "Raptors") repeated without other criteria applied.
The descriptions are thorough and the drawings are nice. But there is no indication of names other than the English bird book one and the Latin name. No hope for those of us in non-English-speaking countries who want to use a bird book in English, but need to search based on what locals call a bird.
Look at the version history. I'd hoped, unreasonably, that it had been such a great app when it came out that it hadn't needed an update. Wrong. It needs attention and hasn't gotten it. Compare the version history to iBird Pro (North America) and you'll see what a living app's history should look like.
I really wish I could get my money back. Within 5 minutes of not being able to figure out how I'd use it productively (i.e. as a field guide, not to memorize birds), I knew I'd wasted my money.
And I still need a Swiss or Europe field guide app!
The descriptions are thorough and the drawings are nice. But there is no indication of names other than the English bird book one and the Latin name. No hope for those of us in non-English-speaking countries who want to use a bird book in English, but need to search based on what locals call a bird.
Look at the version history. I'd hoped, unreasonably, that it had been such a great app when it came out that it hadn't needed an update. Wrong. It needs attention and hasn't gotten it. Compare the version history to iBird Pro (North America) and you'll see what a living app's history should look like.
I really wish I could get my money back. Within 5 minutes of not being able to figure out how I'd use it productively (i.e. as a field guide, not to memorize birds), I knew I'd wasted my money.
And I still need a Swiss or Europe field guide app!
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Response from developer
The app contains species names in 18 languages and these are fully searchable. You can also change the species name language in "settings". We do regularly update the app, but given the size of the download we prefer only to do it when we have a significant update to bring to users.
Great app but problems with 1.4.2
We've used this app for a couple of years now with great enthusiasm, and don't have any problems with it. We think it's good value for money, even with the in app purchases, unlike others.
But it won't update to 1.4.2 from 1.4.1! Probably doesn't matter, it still runs fine, but worrying that this is an issue. (and the Report a Problem button above doesn't seem to take you anywhere useful!).
But it won't update to 1.4.2 from 1.4.1! Probably doesn't matter, it still runs fine, but worrying that this is an issue. (and the Report a Problem button above doesn't seem to take you anywhere useful!).
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Response from developer
Hello, we're sorry you had problems downloading the latest update. This is a bit beyond our control, but do make sure you have some spare room on your device before trying again.
North America NOT
No where is it mentioned that all the location features are for Europe only. I'll give it a go living in the US, but not ideal. Seems pretty powerful. The drawings are super detailed and clear with a lot of supporting information. Not sure how conclusive my findings will be, but excited to try it out. Nice introductory guide to get started and the intuitiveness of the app takes it from there. Fun to track/record bird sightings within the app.
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New standard for bird apps
Purchased the Collins Bird Guide based on the reputation of the Collins book. I am traveling to Europe and wanted an easy but thorough guide for my bird observations.
This app is intuitive and engrossing. The birds are displayed in visual diagrams with the ability to drill down to the bird you are observing. When the user identifies the bird, distribution maps, diagrams, sound recordings and similar birds are displayed. Very easy to use.
There is a comparison section I'm finding useful before traveling as it allows me to study differences in similar species before heading overseas.
I have not used this in the field yet but am enjoying playing with the format and learning a bit about the birds.
This app is intuitive and engrossing. The birds are displayed in visual diagrams with the ability to drill down to the bird you are observing. When the user identifies the bird, distribution maps, diagrams, sound recordings and similar birds are displayed. Very easy to use.
There is a comparison section I'm finding useful before traveling as it allows me to study differences in similar species before heading overseas.
I have not used this in the field yet but am enjoying playing with the format and learning a bit about the birds.
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Don't use the lists!
This is an excellent app, on the whole, but I have found a bug in the latest version - you can spend a lot of time recording your sightings in the list function, only to find that they have disappeared next time you open the app. I would give it 5 stars if I hadn't wasted a whole evening making a list and then losing it.
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Response from developer
Hello, we’re glad you like the app. Thank you for reporting the bug with lists, which we have now fixed in the latest version.
Bird guide problem?
Great app but:
Only issue is when opening this App that it stays on the home screen for about ten seconds.
This is way too long, we know what the app is called ;-) Make it two seconds and we'll all be ecstatic. Others have told me this too!
Alan
Only issue is when opening this App that it stays on the home screen for about ten seconds.
This is way too long, we know what the app is called ;-) Make it two seconds and we'll all be ecstatic. Others have told me this too!
Alan
Finally
At last, the Collins on ipad. Not yet perfect, including the language versions and life lists (how to store those?), but we are getting there. Keep on working guys, competition is around the corner!
Fantastic App
Excellent Search functionality making it easy to narrow the list of possible birds for ID. Embedded multimedia with sounds and video. Broadsheets of images to quickly scan and isolate bird ID. Easy navigation and comparison of birds. Clearly a lot of care went into planning this app.
Magnifique!
J'ai plusieurs guides ornithos sur iPad et iPhone. Celui-ci est de loin le plus beau, le plus complet, celui qui offre le plus de possibilités. La traduction française de G. Lesaffre est excellente, la reproduction des dessins est sans failles. J'aime beaucoup la possibilité de pouvoir choisir deux langues. Imaginez : lorsque vous demandez une comparaison, l'application offre la possibilité de comparer seulement l'adulte ou l'immature à celui des espèces semblables. Et je n'écris pas sur les cartes, les chants, les cris, les choix de langues, ...
J. Larivée
J. Larivée
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