Bird Codes

Bird Codes

Quick 4-letter code lookup

95 ratings
42 reviews
Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • February 11, 2012
  • September 26, 2017

Features

Bird Codes screenshot #1 for iPhone
Bird Codes screenshot #2 for iPhone
Bird Codes screenshot #3 for iPhone
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About

Quickly look up and learn four-letter alpha codes for bird species. This reference tool helps birders speed up field notes and eBird checklist entries by providing a fast way to find abbreviations used in ornithology.

Search by bird name
Search by alpha code
Lookup for 2078 species
Uses Pyle and DeSante (2003) system
Speed up field notes
Faster eBird checklist entry
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What's New in Bird Codes

2.2

September 26, 2017

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. Updated to work with iOS 11. Now with less blurriness on screens made this decade.

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User reviews

UPDATE THIS APP

This app has not been updated for 6 years. There have been numerous taxonomic splits, lumps, & renames in that time & this app is woefully behind the times. If it was regularly updated, I would give it 5 stars. As it is right now, it’s a 3.

Love this app!

Perfect--just what I needed to find these codes. I refer to it often.

Excellent

So easy to use , thank you

Terrific app, needs taxonomic update

I rely on this app (ver. 2.2) as the quickest way to search for band codes and proper scientific names but it is out-of-date. It could benefit from adding new US birds (accepted vagrants) and a taxonomy update, reflecting splits:
- Western Scrub-Jay to California and Woodhouse’s in 2016;
- Clapper Rail to Clapper and Ridgway’s in 2014;
- genus split for the North American cormorants in 2021.
- et al.
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It’s the conflicts I want to know

CEWA was my first. More recently NOSH surprised me. So many wrens it was bound to happen, so we skip CAWR. It takes time ( maybe many years) to encounter them.

So it would be nice if the app displayed species in conflict when you enter a guess that’s not a legitimate code.

Developer apps

FAQ

What does the Bird Codes app do?

This app allows you to quickly search for and learn the four-letter alpha codes assigned to bird species. These codes are commonly used by birders to speed up field notes and data entry, such as for eBird checklists.

What system does Bird Codes use for alpha codes?

The app utilizes the alpha code system defined by Pyle and DeSante (2003). This system provides alpha codes for all 2078 species recorded within the AOU (American Ornithologists’ Union) area.

How can I search for a bird's alpha code?

You can search for a bird's alpha code in two ways: by entering the bird's common name or by entering the four-letter alpha code itself. This dual search functionality makes it easy to find the information you need.

Is this app free to use?

Yes, the Bird Codes app is completely free to use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements, allowing for an uninterrupted experience while you look up bird codes.

Who would benefit from using this app?

This app is ideal for birdwatchers, ornithologists, and anyone who keeps field notes or submits data to platforms like eBird. It's designed to streamline the process of recording bird sightings by providing quick access to standardized abbreviations.