iTrack Africa vs ABA/AOU Bird Codes

Read the stories animals leave behind. iTrack Africa is a field guide to the tracks and signs of southern African mammals, with photographs, measurements, identification notes and comparisons for 68 species and species groups. Created by Jonah Evans and Dave Hood, the guide brings detailed tracking information into the field, even when you are offline. EXPLORE AND IDENTIFY • Browse track, sign and comparison photographs, and tap any photo for a larger view with its caption. • Compare front and hind track icons and measurements in centimeters or inches. • Search common or scientific names and filter by track size, visible features and southern African regions. • Keep favorite species close at hand. • Read lessons on track identification, anatomy, gait patterns and following tracks. TOOLS FOR THE FIELD • Calibrate an on-screen ruler using a real ruler or standard bank card, then use it in full-screen mode. • Study Track & Sign Flashcards using the guide's photographs. Choose Tracks, Sign or Both, optional flip animation, and decks of 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 cards, or Continuous study. Reveal each photo's identification and caption when you are ready. • Restrict flashcards to species recorded near your location or a destination you choose while preparing for a trip. Photos can come from anywhere in the selected collection. • Read 68 saved Wikipedia articles offline. Download newer copies individually or together under Tools when you choose. OPTIONAL iNATURALIST FEATURES • Explore reusable, community-reviewed track and sign photographs from African Track-annotated observations and the Spoor & Signs project. Sort by Newest or Closest and follow credits and links to the original observations. • Filter the guide using nearby iNaturalist records, or generate a broader animal species list grouped by taxonomic group. Sort alphabetically or by observation count, optionally limit it to Spoor & Signs, and keep the last list for offline use. • Try Experimental iNaturalist flashcards from Spoor & Signs in Africa. Browse an observation's reusable photos before revealing its community identification, with public location labels where available. iNaturalist identifications can be mistaken or ambiguous, and an observation may contain animal or habitat photographs as well as tracks. Nearby records are approximate and do not prove that an animal is present or absent. The field guide, bundled flashcards, ruler and saved Wikipedia articles work offline. New iNaturalist requests and article updates require internet access. Location permission is optional; location checks occur only when requested. This update modernizes the existing paid iTrack Africa app. Existing owners do not need to buy it again. No subscription, in-app purchase or app account is required. Requires iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 or later.

In the world of ornithology and bird watching, alpha codes are a shorthand for describing a specific bird. These codes are an abbreviation of a bird’s common(4 letters) or scientific(6 letters) name and are used in banding data, field notes, and other data collection projects. Schechter Natural History’s Bird Codes is a simple tool to look up bird reporting codes for the ABA and AOU.* Features include * Quick search and bird lookup * Sort by common name, scientific name, or code * Toggle between viewing a list of birds included in the AOU or the ABA * USGS Species Numbers and Banding Sizes We hope you find the Schechter Natural History’s Bird Codes to be a helpful tool for your outdoor adventures and a fun and informative reference for home use. *The American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) includes birds recorded in North America, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean region. Whereas the American Birding Association (ABA) only contains birds in North America.