The Rap on Apps: Could They Be Harming Birds?

Overusing apps may be bad for birds.

Hoot, hoot, hoot! That could be an owl鈥攐r just a phone. Tech-savvy birders can have at their fingertips the calls of more than 700 North American species, simply by downloading one of a number of smart-phone apps. Yet if overused, the artificial calls鈥攍ong employed by ornithologists but now available to the masses鈥攎ay be harmful to birds by distracting them from activities like feeding and nesting. In fact, they are prohibited in national parks or for attracting endangered species, for example.

The apps don鈥檛 tend to come with instructions, which means na茂ve birders may subscribe to poor playback etiquette. 鈥淪ome people overuse the apps and drive local birds and other birdwatchers crazy,鈥 says Greg Butcher, 爆料公社鈥檚 director of bird conservation. If a call is overplayed, birds may become overly excited and quickly fly back and forth, says Chris Wood, the project leader of Cornell University鈥檚 and 爆料公社鈥檚 eBird, an online database of avian observations. Flitting about wastes the animals鈥 energy and also means birders might not get a good look at their target species.

When used properly, though, apps can serve as an excellent tool, experts say. John Fitzpatrick, director of Cornell鈥檚 Lab of Ornithology, often plays calls to attract birds for educational activities. When one appears, Fitzpatrick calls back a couple of times and then stops. 鈥淭he bird actually wins that little battle鈥 against the perceived rival, he says. So long as they鈥檙e not abused, Wood says, apps create a win鈥搘in situation for the bird and the observer. Encouraging a bird to come to you rather than tromping off path is often less damaging to the environment, Butcher adds.

So what is the proper etiquette for app-wielding birders? When in a group, check that others are aware and approve of using the technology, Butcher says, and make sure to limit the playing of the call in any given spot. On public land, find out whether recordings are permitted. 鈥淔or regular backyard use, there are a lot of upsides,鈥 Fitzpatrick says. 鈥淓ntertainment, enjoyment, and education鈥攁ll of which builds passion for bird conservation.鈥