iBird Pro Guide to Birds

Name: iBird Pro Guide to Birds
Rating: 3.64311 (3071 reviews)

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iBird Pro Guide to Birds

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3.6

3.1K ratings

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Seller

Mitch Waite Group

In-App Purchases

$0.99 – $9.99

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User Reviews for iBird Pro Guide to Birds

Oh Mitch 🙀🙀🙀 buried costs

The newest iBird “What’s New” (version 12.7.3)’ buried the subscription price. Buyer beware !!!!!! FYI: Merlin, eBird, & Audubon apps are FREE. 🤡 Where’s their (iBird) response to alllll the negative reviews??? Hey Mitch where are you????? FYI: Best FREE apps are Merlin, eBird, and Audubon. Best option for iBird is provide a new app; FREE to DOWNLOAD, then have the user determine a payment schedule. Keep the old version in place for those of us who own the app. Tooooooo easy????? 👍😜 If you previously backed-up your iphone that included the older app (the one we alllllll purchased and owned), simply do an iphone “restore.” That’s what I did after previous app iterations. Just be certain you no longer do an UPDATE on your iphone. It’s a hassle to do, takes time, but it works…..good luck!! So, how much is it to subscribe? Tell us beforehand 😝. Newest update does NOT permit automatic linkage with iBird Journal. Now, Journal acts like an independent app. So…you have to key-in your bird twice (once for iBird Pro and again if you want to store its actual location). BTW: they have yet to fix the photo renaming problem….and after two years 🤪🥴. As usual, don’t do it... can’t access your photos. Wait till they clean up the latest update!!

Bigwave chief, Jul 23, 2022

Pop ups

I like the app a lot. But recently I have been getting frequent pop-ups that I have to click on, otherwise I cannot continue with the app. The pop ups sometimes occur about once a minute. I don’t know if these are virus portals or actual pop-ups by iBird. In any case, I have to delete the app and reinstall to get rid of the pop-ups. It is almost near impossible to submit a request through the contact form. It requires information at the end that a person would not have at their fingertips, so then you have to close down the contact form, get the information and re-open the contact form. I had to do this five times. I have a feeling they make the form so complex you cannot submit it.UPDATE: The pop-up issue has been resolved. The only glitch is that I cannot delete the last bird I searched for using the “X” in the search line. I have to backspace to remove it. Fortunately, I am now entering band codes. Is there a way to fix this? I don’t have this problem on other apps.

Bombo Mama, May 20, 2020

DO NOT UPGRADE!!! Do so & you'll be forced to Subscribe!

DO NOT UPGRADE!!! If you do, you'll find this online bird guide converted to a subscription with only a "one year trial" for prior OWNERS of iBird Pro. Also, it's been renamed Waite's Birds!? Save yourself and keep the old version. We accidentally brushed the Update Button and couldn't stop the process. Turned off our iPad in an effort to cancel the update, but it was too late. Don't let this happen to you! We join others (on fixed income and otherwise) in expressing our outrage. We helped start this company and now they throw their original supporters -- who PURCHASED this online field guide -- under the bus by forcing us into a subscription. At the end of one year we will NOT be jumping on the subscription merry-go-round that'll automatically charge our credit card until we die or cancel. It's so easy to accumulate monthly charges. Our original purchase price for this app, which was not cheap back in the day, should've been honored even if the company's future business model switches to a subscription base. This move was SLEAZY and a cheat. So sorry to lose this wonderful online bird field guide... We're tired of "subscriptions" for everything that we "pay" for. Call us old-fashioned Luddites; however, we no longer allow "automatic" withdrawals from our credit cards and prefer to own what we buy... even if that means no more future "app updates." Farewell iBird Pro!

Borregobadlands, Aug 31, 2022

So Long Farewell Goodbye

We bought this app on May 12, 2012, and it has been our go to app in the field ever since. Both of us are certified master naturalists and have used this app extensively. Yesterday when we were birding at one of the local refuges, after volunteering there for 6 hours, we got a nasty little surprise when we turned on this app, it said it had no record of us buying it, and that we had to sign up for a subscription to use it. I tried to contact them via their email address because it said “previous owners click here” They apparently have their email shut off because it came back as unknown address. Therefore, we couldn’t even contact them with photo documentation that we did buy it ages before whatever greedy people have taken over that company that produces this app. Even their website isn’t working today. We would not recommend downloading it or giving them any money to subscribe to it. We are going to go back to using BirdsEye which ties into eBird and also into Cornell University’s Ornithology department, which is a extremely good source of birding information, which is what we were mostly using in addition to our Sibley books before we bought iBird eleven years ago.

Climbergirl2002, Aug 03, 2023

Their Response to Me

You can fix it by subscribing for $0.99/month, $9.99/year, or not at all. Contrary to popular belief, you do NOT own any software distributed by the Apple Store. Instead, it's a licensing arrangement that grants developers the authority to modify various aspects, including pricing. Most developers strive to avoid altering these terms, but occasionally, as exemplified by iBird, circumstances dictate otherwise. Initially, the paid app model made perfect sense, especially when it enjoyed robust sales. However, as time passed, some 15 years later, sales dwindled to a point where it was unsustainable. This predicament is why you now witness a growing trend of apps transitioning to subscription-based models—a shift that may not be universally favored. However, amidst this change, iBird remains unrivaled in terms of the sheer volume of ornithological information it offers. Considering the modest cost of the subscription, our aspiration is that bird enthusiasts will rally behind our company, enabling us to persist in delivering innovations. Moreover, you have the flexibility to toggle the subscription on and off at your convenience. We understand that discovering your once-paid app now requires a subscription can be disappointing. Yet, it was a necessary decision to avert the risk of going out of business. In the interim, we value your message and hope you'll consider subscribing on a monthly or yearly basis. BumbleBea iBird Support App deleted!

drose333, Sep 29, 2023

Lousy customer service - go elsewhere

Updated review: this app was a great reference that I used from time to time. Then, without warning, they transitioned to a subscription model rendering the app useless. I wouldn’t have minded if they stopped updating the existing app, and started a new app as a subscription, but it was a really low blow to offer an app “update” that made the app useless without me paying more forever. It was like going to my bookshelf and finding my printed bird books blank because the publisher decided they wanted more money.There are plenty of other bird guides in the App Store, and you’ll get better customer service from them.The best bird guide is the one you have with you, and I really enjoy this since I don't always know when I'll run into an interesting bird. The search capabilities are a significant advance over a printed book, it is so nice to be able to specify something like, "what was that mostly black duck-like bird that I saw in New Hampshire in November?" an see all the possibilities laid out for easy comparison (a hooded merganser, it turned out). The recorded bird calls are also an incredibly useful feature. The only problem I have had is occasionally the search has not listed a bird that, in retrospect, it should have. I guess there are still some errors in their indexes. Also, eBird support would be nice.

EbenOfTheCanyon, Oct 03, 2023

New update doesn’t allow access.

I’ve used this app for years and it had been great. But I updated the app just before starting fieldwork, and it boots up to a screen offering me a free trial or a button that says previous owner. When I click on previous owner, it says “no purchase found in the App Store” and gives an option for emailing the developer. This too goes nowhere and returns a message saying “email unable to send.” I paid almost $30 several years ago, and is one of the most expensive apps I’ve purchased, only to be shut out. I’ve read through reviews, and it seems to be blaming this on “family plan” settings, which makes no sense as we have other purchases in our family plan associated with individual members. I’ve tried to go to their website and it goes to an empty “sorry, we’re doing some work on this site” message. I’m super disappointed not just that they haven’t worked this out for paid app owners, but also that the customer support is totally lacking. Avoid purchasing. It can be taken from you at any time and there is no support, no recourse, and nowhere but here to voice your dissatisfaction.

John_birder, May 30, 2023

This is the best birding app I have seen

There seems to be a lot of noise right now because iBird changed from a one-time purchase app to a subscription based model. As a customer of iBirdPro (and now Ultimate) for at least 10 years, as well as a software executive, I would like to add my perspective. First, this app is truly awesome. As an amateur bird watcher, I have received immense pleasure and value from it over the past many years. They keep adding more and more features at a tremendous rate, and it has all been useful. I actually did wonder how they could could sustain their business model by not going to an annual subscription model because it virtually impossible to continue in business like this without an ongoing revenue stream. Even advertising would be difficult to sustain because the ability to monetize bird watching is likely too limited. Mitch Waite has gone overboard to provide free transition periods, special promotions and such for existing customers who have to move to the new model. I personally and professionally think they have done too much. For those of you who are legacy customers who are being asked to move, please understand that you are now asking MW to decide to cripple their business or pander to you. If you like their app you shouldn’t be asking them to do this. This is a fantastic app. If you like it, then pay for it.

Kdfbee, Nov 06, 2023

Bummer

I have used this app *daily* for almost ten years and it is hands down my favorite. Ten years ago it was THE app to have for birding and at $14 it wasn't cheap. I was a poor college student at the time and wanted this app so badly, my brothers and I would wait for it to go on sale in the App Store so we could purchase it (which even $3.99 for an app is a lot for a young person). Now I am a professional guide and lead bird walks every week, and I still use this app in the field. For years I have recommended it to others. But someone asked me about it this past week, and while I told them what the app was and how wonderful it is, I also had to explain your ridiculous move to a paid subscription service and how I will no longer be using it come August.So while I didn't pay as much as some folks here to originally purchase the app, my loyalty and constant praise of it to others should be enough. I refuse and honestly can't afford to start paying for something that I've used for free for ten years. If y'all needed money that badly, I'm sure folks would have donated to a fundraiser or something. You obviously have a slew of loyal followers. But unfortunately you all chose this route instead and will lose most of those. What a bummer.

kslice22, Apr 23, 2023

OK, missing some important features

I have been using versions of iBirds for many years. This app no longer links to iBird Journal where I kept my lists of birds viewed and my life list. Those lists were important to me. I have tried to use notes and lists in this current version of iBirds Pro and they don’t seem to be saved anywhere I can find, so this app is not useful for keeping up with your sightings. I wish the authors would take a hint from the Peterson Field Guide and group birds that look similar like the various sparrows, hawks (esp overhead views), etc. You can narrow what is shown by picking a body type like “perching bird”, but this really doesn’t limit it enough to compare similar looking birds quickly. Once you have identified a bird there is a good amount of information about the species. There are some useful extra purchases to help narrow birds to those around you by location and season. These are extra purchases, however. This does end up excluding birds you might actually see sometimes. With climate change I am seeing birds that used to not be common in my area. I suspect my locale is not unique in that.

MKB58, Feb 21, 2022

Description

iBird Pro is a self-contained, take-anywhere-no-Internet-required app that turns your iPhone into a field guide to birds of North America, the United Kingdom, and Hawaii. iBird is superior to other birding apps because of the following features: NO INTERNET REQUIRED: Unlike many birding apps today, iBird Pro has a built-in database so that you can use the app anywhere, even with no Internet access. Get ready for a thrilling avian adventure with iBird Pro, the ultimate birdwatching companion that transforms your iPhone into a dazzling field guide!

Unleash the power of iBird Pro, the birding aficionado's dream come true, and explore the magnificent world of birds across North America, the United Kingdom, the enchanting island nation of Palau, and the tropical paradise of Hawaii. Experience the iBird advantage, packed with extraordinary features that make birding an exhilarating experience: Offline Access: Wander off the beaten path, and iBird Pro's built-in database will accompany you, empowering you to explore bird species, even in the most remote corners of the world, without needing an internet connection. Advanced Search: Unleash your inner Sherlock Holmes with our patented parametric search engine that helps you identify birds like a pro. Utilize 35 attributes such as GPS location, color, habitat, bill shape, and song type to quickly and accurately pinpoint the bird you've spotted. Stunning Illustrations: iBird Pro, the only app boasting high-resolution, hand-drawn illustrations for every species, captures the essence of birds in all their glory. Revel in detailed images of males, females, juveniles, birds in flight, and plumage variations, making identification a breeze. Vivid Photos: Immerse yourself in our ever-growing collection of over 4,000 mesmerizing photographs, capturing species in a myriad of settings and environments. iBird Pro uniquely fuses illustrations and photographs for a comprehensive birding experience. Songs and Calls: Sharpen your birding skills with over 4,000 birdsong and bird-call recordings, ideal for confirming IDs or when a bird remains elusive but vocal. Photo Recognition: Unveil the magic of iBird's innovative Photo Sleuth app, harnessing cutting-edge AI technology to identify bird species from any photograph, even those that are low-quality or unclear. Note: Photo Sleuth is a separate app called from iBird. Discover how Photo Sleuth works: bit.ly/ibirdphoto. Detailed Range Maps: Uncover the secrets of each species with iBird Pro's intricate range maps, showcasing year-round habitats, migration patterns, and more. Embark on a captivating journey through the world of birding with iBird Pro and experience unrivaled features that will skyrocket your birdwatching escapades to new heights! PREVIOUS USERS. If you previously purchased iBird Pro, the subscription app is free for one year. Tap the Previous Owner button to access the free subscription while in the iBird app’s “7-day trial” offer. iBird will check and unlock your previous ownership receipt for a free year. If iBird can’t find your receipt, it will present a screen so you can email us, and we’ll forward the offer code. EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ (https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/) Privacy Policy: https://www.ibird.com/privacy-policy/