Bird Watching Goes Hi-Tech: The Story of Birda App

Bird watching has always been a popular hobby for many people worldwide, and the passion for birds has now taken a new twist. South African couple, John and Natalie White, have created a revolutionary app called Birda that has taken birding to the next level.

With 45 million birders worldwide, the app aims to deepen people's connection with nature. The app is making its debut in the United States to appeal to the country's birding ecotourism, which rakes in $41 billion per year. Birda is not just an app for logging birds, but also for sharing birding adventures with the community, competing with friends, and participating in conservation efforts.

The Birth of Birda

John and Natalie's love for birding began in South Africa, where birding and ecotourism are essential parts of the country's economy. John's upbringing, surrounded by African wildlife, inspired his love for conservation and birding.

“Having worked for two large multinationals, I realized that corporate life was not what I wanted. Together, Natalie and I had an idea to turn our passion for wildlife and the outdoors into a business. We launched our first website and mobile app in 2013 for users to share their wildlife sightings from parks and reserves across Southern Africa. Life’s been an epic adventure ever since, and I look forward to continuing it with Birda,” he says.

After earning an MBA and gaining experience in banking and consultancy, John decided to follow his entrepreneurial heart and create an app that could bring the wonders of the 'birding continent' to the world.

On the other hand, Natalie's evolving knowledge and enthusiasm for wildlife is nothing short of contagious, bringing Birda to the global market since her first safari trip in 2010. “The healing power of nature was paramount in getting me through my struggles with cancer. It’s motivated me to do more to protect our natural world, inspire others to do the same, and leave a legacy for my daughters,” she points out.

The couple recognized that there was a gap in the market for a dedicated app for wildlife sightings, and they created Birda, an innovative birding app, and social media platform. The app's user-friendly interface makes it a powerful tool for logging bird sightings for both casual backyard bird admirers and serious birdwatchers.

Contributing to Conservation Efforts

Birda has a unique ability to track progress by building lists of all the species spotted, curating bird collections by generating sub-level lists based on time and geographic location, and connecting with the birding community.

It also offers location-aware species lists, making it easy to identify birds in a specific area. Advanced birders can choose the taxonomy they prefer to use, and Birda includes the International Community of Ornithologists (IOC) and Birdlife taxonomies. The app also has an offline mode, which is helpful for users in remote locations or those looking to disconnect from the rat race and connect with nature.

In 2023, Birda launched the 'Birda Global Big Year 2023,' encouraging its users to participate in spotting as many bird species as possible throughout the year. Birders' sightings will then be sent to researchers to help with conservation efforts, with all Birda user finds being sent to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

The app promotes healthy competition and encourages users to achieve specific goals and earn badges. Birders can also participate in local and national birdwatching challenges, compete with their followers to stay at the top of the leaderboard and participate in conservation activities and projects.

By using Birda, birders not only have fun but also help conservationists protect various bird species. The anonymous combined logs from the app can be used by scientists and environmental protection organizations to create a picture of species movement, which will help to support and safeguard them.

John and Natalie are delighted with the success of their app and are grateful to have turned their passion for wildlife into a thriving business. As Natalie has described their birding venture as their 'third child,' they are committed to continuing to improve the app and make it an indispensable tool for birders worldwide.

In conclusion, Birda is an innovative app that has transformed bird watching into an inclusive community activity, appealing to bird lovers worldwide. With its user-friendly interface and many features, Birda has become a powerful tool for birders to connect with nature, achieve their goals, and help conservationists protect various bird species. The 'Birda Global Big Year 2023' is an excellent opportunity for birders to participate in a fun activity while contributing to conservation efforts.