Sibley Birds 2nd Edition

I just deleted this app from my phone after 13 years of patronage. I’m unable to comprehend why this company cares less about the long term users that built their customer base, while placing profit above all else. I sent them several messages to this effect, and never received a single reply. I think I know where their loyalties lie. So long, iBird: fortunately there are many excellent alternatives out there. PK

Bonjour, Ce guide numérique est très bien fait. Facile à utiliser et très convivial. Pour moi c’est un guide parfait sur le terrain. Mais c'est pour quand la version française de ce très bon guide?

Évidemment c’est super pratique comme application, aussi bien pour les photos, que les chants les cartes, MAIS QUAND JE SÉLECTIONNE LANGUE: Français je m’attends à ce que tout les mots soient traduits, aussi bien le descriptif, que les sexes âges et caractéristiques des images et pas seulement le nom français et pas la classe ou la famille. DU FAIT QUE L’ON EST OBLIGÉ DE PAYER JE M’ATTENDAIS À UNE QUALITÉ SUPÉRIEURE pour le français, déçu.

As a 30-year birder, I know that this hobby teaches us something every day and that knowledgeable guides are a must. I own several paper bird guides and one well-known digital version. This one is better. The “Compare” feature alone is worth the price of admission. I love the detailed artwork of the Sibley book; if anything, this app’s is better. I am very happy with this purchase and will recommend it to all my birding friends. Highly recommended. PK

Very pleased with this version. Love this app. Super appreciative there is no subscription model. Thanks again. Grateful for the opportunity to upgrade to this current version.

I’m really unhappy that my Sibley app just stopped working, no update to the new iOS was offered, and I had to buy the 2nd edition at full price. The new app is very nice, but I would rather just have had an update on my existing app.

I really like this app and find it very useful in the field. However, the updates come fast and furious in the middle of birding season for us in northern latitudes, and I need wifi to do this. Many times I’ve headed off for several days only to find the app will not work until I update, so its of no use to me. Please plan your updates so they are meaningful and less often.

I do like being able to see similar species, compare them and the flight underwings and upper details. The colours are a bit dull. Can you enhance them with current colour apps or effects? Can you add more western pacific bird calls, sounds? I live north of Seattle. I like the hummingbird app. It’s missing Allen’s? Could you adjust the tail notch detail in the Rufous? It’s not that clear, magnify it? I’ve seen photos that made it perfectly clear, same size. I would also like Mexico included. Thanks

First off, Id like to say Im very displeased that the first edition I payed for no longer is available, and I had to pay full price to upgrade to the second edition. Still some good features and easy to use. Comparison is still a lovely feature, and being able to switch between a list or thumbnails is nice. I like that you can enlarge the art and take closer looks. I like that you can search by banders codes as well. The ‘my list’ section is nice, I havnt played around too much with it yet though. Im not sure why, but when setting your location for specific birds in your area (mine is Ontario Canada) I still am seeing birds from far south and west like black-capped vireo and mexican violetear... birds that have never been recorded in Ontario. It makes me wonder if its not showing species that should be listed for the area Ive selected. Thats a pretty big issue in my opinion. Smart search doesn't work well, I entered in field markings for american woodcock and it couldn't tell me what I saw, even when I selected month of may, sandpiper like, long bill and small/medium with diving flight pattern. I had to removed flight pattern and list it under all waterbirds. Which I could have just scrolled to in the actual guide and not wasted time with the so called smart search. The interface for the app is ok, the symbols of the left are not explained and Im assuming they mean to tell me if the bird is common in my area or not. Not really that important to have popping out more that the birds do on the list... when I switch to thumbnail mode I cant use comparisons but the option pops up as if I can. Glitch? Is this still a beta version? Just makes the app heavy with a useless feature. Overall I think it needs improvement. Im disappointed with this version, but I know it can be better. I used to recommend this app but now Im not sure. Theres still things I like a lot about it, like comparing songs/calls. And sibleys work is still great and points out key details, one of the reasons I like it more than photos (although his owls in this edition are a bit questionable, particularly the western burrowing owl) its still a great guide and easy to use. But I feel like it doesnt have to be the bare min. I hope you see my review and look into the location problem at least, it was one of the reasons I loved the last edition so much.

I use this app to help me identify birds when my spouse is otherwise not available.