Sibley Birds 2nd Edition

This is still the app that I use the most in the field, mostly because of Sibley's amazing illustrations, the descriptions and physical info, and the comparison feature. But this app also disappoints me in several ways. First, the limited amount of options for comparing one bird to another seems strange, eg you can't compare whippoorwills with nighthawks. Another annoyance is that if you're comparing two birds, in order to change to a new bird, you have to press back about 7 times.

If you've read any of the reviews below you probably already know two things about this app: 1) It was delayed for almost four years for unknown reasons and 2) The initial release was a little buggy and featured some of the wrong art and some confusing maps. The good news is that despite the huge delay in release, there was a fairly expedient response to the bug reports and an update was released this week to resolve most of the issues. This gives me hope that the app will be well supported in the future and keep up with taxonomic changes and hopefully improve on the feature set already in place. Previous to this, I used the original Sibley app almost daily. I liked it, but definitely wished for some improvements. I was happy to see that the 2nd edition fixed a lot of the things I'd complained about. One major change that I really appreciate is the addition of a significant amount of written text for each species. This has been one area where the print edition of the book suffered a bit and the addition of additional text is a big improvement. There have also been improvements in the comparison feature. Now you can also look at dimensions (wingspan, weight, etc.

I've used the earlier version of this app and am glad it got an update. However, on the beta version of Android Q on my Pixel 3 XL, the app won't load, including after a reinstall. It shows a blank screen with a progress bar stuck a "0MB/0MB" and below that a "pause" button that doesn't do anything. Force-quitting and reinstalling the app didn't help. I know it's a beta, but almost all my other apps work with no bother, and I'm hoping this gets resolved before the final release.

I like the new layout of the app and the new added features. There are numerous errors in the app. Some of the range maps don't match the species shown and the plates used to create the app are too dark which misrepresents the true colors of the plumage. Hopefully these errors can be fixed quickly, but untill then I will keep using the first edition of the app.

There was a big ordeal with the 1st printing of the 2nd edition of the book, requiring a second printing to fix the color problems and other issues. Oddly, it appears that 1st printing was used for this app!! Oof! Various errors exist... it would be great if the app developers setup an easy to use website to report these (multiple maps are incorrect, things like 1st and 2nd year Black-tailed Gulls are mislabeled, etc) or build it into the app. As with the paper copy of the 2nd edition, I recommend waiting until the second version comes out before buying. That said, the app doesn't uninstall the old Sibley app, so you CAN have both on your phone if you buy now. Glad to see the update, and the new layout, I just wish the v2 launch wasn't so full of errors.

Like the first run of the book, some of the plates are off color. Also the map for Key West Quail Dove shows the bird in California! These are pretty egregious errors! I look to apps like this to help figure out difficult birds, if I can't trust that the maps or birds are represented accurately, the app is of no use. At best this could be considered a beta version. It works, just not for bird I.D. What's the timeline for correcting these problems?

It's complete, but it has its anoyances, because it's primitive, at best. It crashes randomly. Any change in device status (screen rotating, screen going black) causes the calls to stop. Also, the playback interface doesn't work well, especially the loop function. For $20, I expect better functionality, period.

The app itself works well, but as of Dec 2020 it seems that the plates in this android version are still the ones from the first printing of the 2nd edition book in 2014, which were all too dark and this was corrected in later printings. scarlet tanager for example is still in this app right now a dark rather than bright red. According to many places this was supposed to have been fixed in the app, but it's not! At 6 years after the book was published and for a fairly pricey app, seems sloppy.

Keeps crashing when editing your list or clicking on bird on your personal list on version 2. Still no update. Worried they may not support well. Should have stayed with older version. Yes, I uninstalled and reinstalled latest version and still does it. i deleted all data and rrinstalled and still has errors. developer not doing any updates in months. stay with older version.

A great app just an install caveat to be aware of - installation prompts would be appreciated Prior to Install. Before installing you'll need approx 700MB free on your Main Storage, not external SD card. A Notification should be presented to the User beforehand, not during an install to remove apps. Sibley's does not allow an install to the SD card initially. Once multiple apps were removed in addition to Sibley's 1, I was able to get this app working. At that point I was able to move the App to the SD card then download/reinstall the 6 apps I had to remove to get Sibley's working properly. Once installed, the app runs smoothly so far. I would have rated this a 5 star except for the troublesome install which I realize might not be everyone's situation.

Seventh update - is this app ever going to be fixed? Did the app developers walk away? Doesn't Sibley care? Sixth update - this would be a five star app if the app developers would fix - and Sibley would pressure them to do so - the few egregious errors that are years old. Just no excuse for this. Fifth update - uninstalled/reinstalled again, 3+ year old terrible errors persist. Pitiful. FIX THIS APP! 4th update - [character limits on comments prevent me from providing all the details from

Update: With the 2019 EOY update, all issues referenced below have been resolved. The app functions flawlessly, as it did when I had it loaded on my Samsung. ______ The issue with the stalled download and the nonfunctioning Pause button has not been resolved, despite the August 2019 update. I have emptied my cache, rebooted my phone, and the problem still exists. This app worked fine on my old phone (Samsung S5), but in migrating it over to my Google Pixel 3a, I have had nothing but problems.

Beautiful illustrations. I like that it downloads everything so you don't need a network connection after it is installed. And I like that it is pay once, NOT a subscription. Those 2 things make it a rare app these days. Definitely worth buying.

A great app in version 1, now with improvements over that previous version: Zoom in into maps, complete state lists (a bit excessive), show similar species, frequency indicators, collapseable bird groupings are only a few of the useful, new features.

Love this app. I don't have to carry around my heavy bird guide and use this for my references and it has bird calls where I can check what I believe I'm hearing. Merlin is great if you don't know your birds, it will help you ID. This app is great if your more advanced.

I was a user of the 1st edition and liked the app, so I upgraded to v2 (both on Android). After many struggles I fugured out how to import MyList from v1 to v2: Assuming one has their v1 list exported in csv format (I don't recall where the v1 app exports to), that file must be placed in the android phone's ROOT directory. Note that any filename with the extension .csv is fine. I connected to a windows laptop via usb to do this put the file at root. V2 app should now list the file for import.

Have the book, now have the app. Birding now complete. Just getting use to the app. Exploration awaits. Just a thought. Added to one's library, you could and should use multiple sources in bird I'd. This is on the top shelf. Sadly this no longer works for Android phones 4.4.

Works well except for the smart search which doesn't work right. Gives either no or wrong results

I absolutely love the fact you can look up by banding codes now! With the update, the only species I see a bit of color issue with still is Scarlet Ibis.

App won't open successfully using Pixel 4XL with all updates. Suggested fixes didn't work. Emailed developer with no response. Would like a refund.

This is my favorite field guide. The new family collapse has made navigation much easier.

Great app... please fix search engine...example put in black billed cuckoo with no results...had to pick yellow billed cuckoo to find black billed cuckoo. This has happened with other birds as well.