ID apps (1 Viewer)

[wileskm49]

Can anyone recommend a good ID app suitable for an android phone? At my age lugging a Collins Guide as well as optics etc is getting a bit tiresome and being a relatively new birder (born again after 50 years or so), I still need a source of reference from time to time.
As I have recently discovered the delights of autumn migration in SW Portugal (WOW!) any app would need to cover mainland Europe as well as dear Old Blighty.
Many thanks in anticipation and Season's Greetings to all.

 

[paddyluke]

try this Seek by iNaturalist · iNaturalist

 

[birdboybowley]

How about the Collins app? All the book + calls on yr phone?

 

[Farnboro John]

I know nothing about these apps but pondering them for a minute has made me think of a question. The ones that provide an ID, do they tell you what diagnostic features they have identified or just tell you what species they think it is? If the latter, how do you learn?

John

 

[Mono]

Collins is the same as the printed guide in app form, with the addition of call recordings. The determination of id is up to you.

The id apps are either a key based question or answer narrowing down or they do picture analysis, which needs an Internet connection. The ones I've tried just give you an answer, or number of possible answers, with no rationale.

 

[Xenospiza]

I know nothing about these apps but pondering them for a minute has made me think of a question. The ones that provide an ID, do they tell you what diagnostic features they have identified or just tell you what species they think it is? If the latter, how do you learn?

They don't tell you anything and most people don't learn anything either. They are happy with a name, even if it is complete nonsense.

This is based on how most Dutch/Belgian/German people use ID apps (I check plant observations on observation.org of which many get entered with such an app).
However, if you know these apps have their issues they can help to push you in the right direction (e.g. with beetles, shieldbugs or flies which I know nothing about).

 

[wileskm49]

Thanks for your comments Xenospiza and to all who shared their views and suggestions.