So many birding apps hit the market, all claiming to offer something unique for birders. Sadly, many of these apps promise a lot but fail to deliver. Naturally, I was a bit skeptical when I heard about the Bindo app. Do we really need another birding app? Shouldn’t I just stick to what I’ve been using for years?
When I first heard about it, as with most new apps, I downloaded it straight away. But then it just sat there—unused—an app I had no real motivation to open.
Eventually, I gave it a try and was impressed by its features, though I wasn’t entirely sure how much value it would add to my birding experience. You see, Bindo is, in essence, a bird listing app. Yes, it offers more, but at its core, that's what it is. For years, I’ve been using the amazing BirdLasser app. It’s easy to use, stores my life list in an accessible way, lets me join challenges, and most importantly, it allows me to atlas.
Almost every listing app I’ve tried lets me keep a list, but they don’t allow me to atlas—a major downside for me. So, when I heard that Bindo could atlas, I knew I had to try it.
A New Kind of Birding App: Bindo’s Place in the Birding World
If I had to describe Bindo, I’d say it’s like if eBird and BirdLasser combined their best features—the result would be Bindo. It takes what both eBird and BirdLasser offer and creates a platform that not only allows you to list birds but also connects you with other birders in the community. You can atlas like on BirdLasser, but you can also see birds others have spotted in different locations and use the app to plan your trips.
My Experience with Bindo
After that comparison, let me share my experience using the app. The first time I tried Bindo in the field, I ran it alongside BirdLasser—just in case something went wrong. Bindo offers several list formats: a quick list, a holiday/trip list, a custom list, and, best of all, an atlassing list.
I added my Bird Atlas Observer ID into the app and was ready to go. I bravely started my first atlassing list on Bindo. One feature I love is that the app sorts species by the likelihood of encountering them, which minimizes errors and helps newer birders record their sightings more accurately. As I added birds, I could see what species might still be in the area that I hadn’t yet recorded. This allowed me to target specific species or reminded me of ones I might’ve missed. When recording species, the app offers two lists to choose from—Nearby Birds and Southern Africa Birds. While I don’t mind switching between them, some users might find this extra step less appealing.
The Sync Function and Other Considerations
One downside is the need to sync your sightings. When you sync, it adds the species you’ve recorded to the Bindo database. The reason for this is that the sync function keeps the app running smoothly, allowing you to record birds quickly. The more I’ve used the sync function, the less it has bothered me, although there have been a few occasions where it took longer than I would have liked.
The app ran smoothly throughout the day, and my battery usage was similar to what I’d typically use on BirdLasser. That said, I recommend carrying a portable charger if you plan to use the app for extended periods.
Once I finished atlassing for the day, submitting my card to SABAP was easy. Within minutes, I received confirmation that my card had been successfully submitted. As an atlasser, Bindo passed the test!
One of the major differences between Bindo and BirdLasser is that Bindo does not automatically switch pentads when you move into a new area. You’ll need to manually start a new atlas list each time you enter a different pentad. This might be a drawback for some users who appreciate the automation of other apps.
Bindo’s Social and Competitive Edge
Many of you know I’m a big fan of BirdLasser—it’s a simple, user-friendly app. But what about Bindo? Is it as easy to use, and what does it offer birders? In terms of simplicity, once I learned a few things, Bindo was straightforward to use. The learning curve isn’t steep at all.
What else does it offer? Bindo taps into the social side of birding. You can follow other birders (a bit like Facebook but less intrusive), see where they’ve birded, and view the species they’ve recorded. This is great for targeting specific birds or exploring new areas.
Like eBird, Bindo lets you check out bird sightings at various locations. So, when you arrive at a reserve, you can see what others have spotted and know what to look for.
Deeper Listing Capabilities
One feature I enjoyed was the ability to create multiple lists for different areas, beyond just a basic atlas list. While BirdLasser offers this to some extent, Bindo takes it further. For example, when I was out birding, I made an atlas list for the pentad I was in. I kept this list running, but when I arrived at various locations, I could also create lists specific to those areas. This means I could maintain an overall atlas list for the pentad while breaking it down into more detailed records for each location. If someone wanted to know what I saw at a specific spot during the day, I could share just that location’s list rather than the entire pentad record.
A Competitive Twist
For those who enjoy a bit of competition, Bindo places you in different regions based on your recorded sightings. I’ve only used it in KwaZulu-Natal so far, but the regions I’ve logged sightings in include Southern Africa, South Africa, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal. You can view a record of what’s been seen in these areas, including recent sightings. For example, this morning, I checked Southern Africa and saw that an Arnot’s Chat had been recorded in Maun, Botswana. If I wanted to track down this bird and it was nearby, I could see exactly where and when it was spotted. You can also view your rank in various categories, including how many birds you’ve recorded compared to other birders that day.
Final Thoughts
The Bindo team has created a fantastic app that will add a lot of value to the Southern African birding community. Best of all, the app is free, so anyone with a smartphone can download and start using it. I still need to test it more in the field, but after nearly a month of use, I can confidently say it’s well worth downloading!
Find out more about the Bindo app on this podcast episode.