# Raptor ID — user reviews > 31 indexed App Store user reviews of Raptor ID by HawkWatch International, rated 4.50/5 from 44 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/raptor-id/id1033944000/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/raptor-id/id1033944000.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 32 · 4★ 6 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 3 ## Newest reviews (14 of 31) ### 5/5 — Well worth the money *2016-04-25, version 1.0.4* This app is amazing, and has completely changed raptor ID for me. There are tons of photos of different ages/morphs, and the narrated videos are incredible. A lot of the birding I do is by myself, and since I downloaded this, I kinda feel like I have an expert there helping me. Thanks, HawkWatch!! ### 5/5 — Very Helpful *2016-04-23, version 1.0.4* I am a fairly experienced birder who has seen and photographed 28 of the 34 North American raptors, as well as some outside of North America. Although I may have seen one or more of the 6 that I am missing, I haven't been sure enough to make the call. I have several paper guides and iPhone apps with raptor information, but none of them has given me the confidence to make a reliable sighting on the raptors that I need. The videos with descriptive voice information and comparison photos are just what I need to help me get the remaining raptors. I wish that I had the app a long time ago! ### 5/5 — Finally a GREAT app to ID hawks! *2016-04-07, version 1.0.4* This app has everything you need to ID hawks. It's an easy to use layout, whether you are an app expert or new to app use. It has great descriptions of each bird, several clear photos, vocalizations, and the added must-have bonus of descriptive videos, all laid out the same for each species. I could see this app being great for beginner raptor identification up to expert birders. It teaches you clearly how to identify raptors in flight, a very difficult task to master before the creation of this app! Its apparent a lot of time and effort has gone in to creating this app. *Review from "stupor mundi 2" has obviously no idea what he/she is talking about. There is ample information about every bird, including the American kestrel. ### 5/5 — Fantastic in the hand Tool! *2016-03-30, version 1.0.4* I am totally perplexed by some of the comments in other reviews. This app is outstanding, and I will adamantly say that there's no other birding tool on the market that compares. I have been an avid hawkwatcher for many years now, and a lot of my time is spent as a raptor educator, interpreting raptor ID to the general public, and to school students. This app is a dream-come true as a tool to recommend to the many people I encounter annually, who are hoping to learn to ID raptors in flight. It's helpful to me, in further building my skills, as well. Check out the excellent videos, which actually show the hawks in-flight with an excellent narrative by Liguori. Where else can you get that sort of tutorial? Understanding flight patterns and styles is utmost in learning to identify raptors in flight. You can't learn this easily from a book, and the tips offered might take one many hours logged at a hawkwatch to learn. For these videos alone, the app would be worth far more. By owning this app, you have the two best raptor ID experts in the US in the palm of your hand! Liguori and Sullivan even offer free help, and a contact link! The Raptor ID app was worth every penny of the small fee they are selling it for. Thank you to Brian Sullivan and Jerry Liguori, who work tirelessly to promote the understanding of raptors in the US. By sharing their incredible talents with all of us, they are not only doing volumes for people out there, but more importantly, the raptors in the world around us. ### 5/5 — Valuable! *2016-03-16, version 1.0.4* Very useful, informative, inspiring, pleasurable. Besides the countless hours and expertise that went into taking these videos and the volumes of information that was condensed into the text; this App is an amazing gift to all birders for a very reasonable price. Thank you to Liggy and Sully for always offering your knowledge to all. I send you my appreciation and the utmost respect for all you have given and continue to give to raptors and all who love them. And thanks for using your own voice, rather than an actor's. The App is beautiful in many ways. Thank you. ### 5/5 — Video!! *2016-03-15, version 1.0.2* I'm a raptor nut, regularly doing nest surveys, visiting migration sites and even conducting an occasional ID workshop in my local area. Got all the raptor specific field guides and many of the general birding apps. I like the approach of this app- it teaches raptor ID through shape and flight style as you watch actual footage of birds moving overhead and across the landscapes where you might encounter them. Songbird ID is all about plumage and micro field marks. Being good on raptors is all about being solid on the macro basics- shape and flight style. The extensive videos are like being in the field with an expert walking along side you as the bird flies by. Plus, there's tons of static pictures too. I don't really care about the other stuff, like range maps and habitat info- you can read about that anywhere. It takes a lot of space, but having videos with voice overs available in the middle of nowhere is worth the tradeoff and what makes this app unique and killer. ### 5/5 — Taking Raptor ID to a new level. *2016-03-14, version 1.0.4* Jerry Liguori and Brian Sullivan have added a great new tool to help raptor enthusiasts take their ID skills to a new level. The photos and captions are outstanding showing birds from many different perspectives and also includes photos that help to age birds. The section of the app that sets it apart are the videos. These videos have helped me to take my ID skills to the next level. Making an accurate ID of a bird in flight based on plumage with poor light conditions can be very difficult. The videos give great examples of flight patterns and wing shape that can help develop this essential skill. Overall the app is well organized and easy to use. It' a great value at $9.99. ### 5/5 — A New Necessity for Hawk ID *2016-03-03, version 1.0.4* Combining the cumulative knowledge of several go-to Books into one app is great. However, adding the level that comes from video to this app really takes Raptor ID above and beyond what was possible before. The best ID folks in the game can do it simply by watching how a bird flies and observing its shape - these two things are easily read, but visually comprehended is a completely different story, since you rarely see all the species with your own eyes. The quality and quantity of video in this app alone is the result of thousands of hours of field work. There may never be a collection of raptor-related video that is as helpful and high quality as we have here. Well, well worth the $10 just to access this video. The rest is gravy as far as I'm concerned, but the highest quality gravy out there. Congrats Jerry, Brian and team. ### 5/5 — Best $10 I have spent *2016-02-25, version 1.0.4* I have been part of the Bedford Audubon Hawkwatch for the past 5 years. It took me two to three years just to get fair at identifying distant Hawks. I think that my skills have improved 100% with this app over the period of a couple of days. Why did it take you so long? Just what I have wanted. To be able to flip from a sharpie video to a Cooper's hawk video and learn the differences is ground breaking for my. Anyone at any skill level that wishes to improve their ability to ID Hawks MUST study this app. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. ### 5/5 — Best raptor ID ever *2016-02-20, version 1.0.4* Jerry Liguori and Brian Sullivan have outdone themselves with this incredible hawk ID app. Jerry and Brian shared their incredible knowledge in this cutting edge app. I highly recommend this app to all! Eric Stiles, President NJ Audubon ### 5/5 — Raptor ID *2016-02-18, version 1.0.4* This is the Raptor app I have been waiting for. It has an excellent series of photos of each of the raptors, with superior coverage of subspecies and juveniles. The descriptions include excellent info on behaviour and habitat, etc. The videos are just the thing one needs to round out this excellent tool. Audio clips and maps are very complete. This is a must have app for any serious birder. ### 5/5 — A great day for raptor fans *2016-02-15, version 1.0.4* Liguori and Sullivan have clearly put in a vast amount of time and effort to craft the perfect learning tool. The text is concise and effective, the photos (including many side-by-side comparisons) are tremendous, and the video clips are truly a game-changer. The app succeeds not just in showing users the classic field marks, but most importantly, it shows how the birds actually appear when encountered in the field. If you like raptors, then you must grab this app. Tom Reed ### 5/5 — Extreme! *2016-02-15, version 1.0.4* Having raptor experts Jerry Liguori and Brian Sullivan in your pocket at all times is a must for anyone interested in birds of prey. This isn't just a photo ID app- it's so much more! Videos with the authors walking you through what you're seeing, comparisons of age and sex variation of all North American species, but not in a vacuum; rather with supplemental text, figures and multimedia to ensure you one "a ha!" moment after another! I can see beginning birders using this at hawk watches, and experts using it as a way to show new birders and to dig deeper into the status and distribution of these magnificent species. Range maps are even supplemented with hot links to the eBird database for up-to-date seasonal distributions (spring and fall migration, for instance). In short, I love this app- and I'm recommending it to everyone!! -David La Puma, Director of New Jersey Audubon's Cape May Bird Observatory ### 5/5 — RaptorID *2016-02-02, version 1.0.1* This app is fantastic. It sets a new standard that all birding apps should aspire to. Videos with narration are like having an expert standing next to you pointing out not only the important field marks but also wing shape, and position as well as other characteristics of the bird in flight. This app has all you need to improve your raptor ID skills. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Why do you need my email? *2020-02-09, version 1.0.6* If you truly do not sell or share info with third parties, and one can “unsubscribe” to updates and messages, why do you require my email address to use this app. I do not need any spam and do not want to be bothered by you or your “partners”. Why do I need to sign up just to cancel? Why is there no way to skip the sign up screen? ### 1/5 — Photos not great no maps *2016-04-23, version 1.0.4* I expected better photos and more ID info. NO RANGE MAPS. ### 1/5 — Waste of money *2016-03-07, version 1.0.4* Disappointing. The species accounts are perfunctory and uninspired and in many cases little or no thought appears to have gone into photo selection. The entry for the kestrel, for example, has numerous photos of adult and subadult males but not one of a female. The overall impression is of something slung together quickly by authors with very little interest in what they were doing. A pity, since without that much more effort something useful and worthwhile could have been created. ### 2/5 — Lacking *2016-03-03, version 1.0.4* Wow for $10 and 1.3gb of data, I expected a lot more. First and foremost comparison diagrams. Secondly handy overall shape/silhouette guides, wing guides. It does have two side by side picture of similar species but that's it. Certainly won't help you to do quick ids in the field. The design is nice and the photos are good. Lots of text - text that would've been better as visual diagrams. ### 3/5 — Great but no longer works *2020-12-01, version 1.0.6* Would give five stars, however with the new iOS on my iPhone it no longer will open. Bummer. So three stars it is. ### 4/5 — Bring back the Liguori voiceovers *2021-12-27, version 1.0.6* Why did you get rid of the one of the kind voiceovers from Jerry Liguori? They really brought heart and a personal touch to the app. Please bring them back. ### 5/5 — Great videos! *2026-07-14, version 1.0.7* Videos with commentary are super helpful and professionally done! And free! ### 5/5 — Outstanding app! *2024-11-10, version 1.0.7* This app is truly one of the best resources available anywhere for learning identification of North American raptors! The photos and in-depth descriptions alone are excellent, but the short, narrated videos are a game-changer! ### 5/5 — Mute Switch Issue *2022-10-13, version 1.0.6* For those that have no sounds (despite volume being at max) in the videos is because the mute switch is toggled. Took me forever to figure out. Now Jerry’s helpful field notes are back! ### 5/5 — Very Good App *2022-08-17, version 1.0.6* This app has so many ways to help you with Raptor Identification. Images divided by age. Also videos and range maps. Highly recommend this app for birders. This is also a free app. Jerry is no longer with us but this app will be a lasting legacy. ## Most praised reviews (6 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Best raptor ID app ever! *2022-02-24, version 1.0.6* It’s the best go to. Love the Jerry Liguori voiceovers. (Make sure you have your volume turned on. ) ### 5/5 — Good app, technical support not so much *2020-04-24, version 1.0.6* UPDATE: The problem wasn’t the Captcha. It was the address fields that aren’t marked as required but have to be entered anyway. I’m quite impressed with the app but I have no sound. I do have sound on other apps and this app works on other devices in my house. I tried to send a question to technical support but gave up after multiple attempts to get past the firm’s Captcha field. I entered the code correctly but the app never sent my message. ### 5/5 — Love it *2019-11-08, version 1.0.6* This app is great. Photos are superb. Lots of Info. Videos can be viewed offline. Highly recommend! ### 5/5 — Great job on making this app *2019-01-20, version 1.0.6* Love this app! I wish I could flag only the birds that are in my area for faster searching. ### 5/5 — Best raptor reference *2016-10-15, version 1.0.5* Is it worth the price? Yes. The content is so good that originally wanted to give it a five star review, but it was not all intuitive. Much has been improved now however, and I really recommend it highly. ### 5/5 — Excellent app *2016-09-08, version 1.0.5* Although there are many bird ID apps on the market, this is my go-to for raptors. It's absolutely beautifully done and the video tools is really helpful. I'd definitely recommend it. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-20.*