For the Birds: Smartphone Field Guides

Getting indoorsy family members outdoors: it's my annual summer challenge. I'm proud to report that, despite a number of lost battles, I'm winning the War of the Air Conditioned TV Room. My next quest: THE HIKE. In the past, my family's answer to my hopeful, slightly desperate question: "How 'bout we go for a hike?" was muffled by their pillows as they rolled over in bed. But this summer, I'm armed with tools that are sure to motivate them onto the trail. For the next three months, my famous trail mix (a mixture of honey o's, almonds, dried cranberries and M&M's) is reserved EXCLUSIVELY for consumption ON THE TRAIL. As I remind my kids, that's why it's called trail mix, not sit on the couch mix.

Also, sigh, electronics. I find the iPhone (smartphones in general) convenient but intrusive, and would rather it stayed behind. But I'm trying to embrace it as a supplement to our outdoor adventures. If one can turn off the ringer and resist checking/sending emailtwittertexts, the iPhone can stand in for a decent field guide. When newbie hikers can distract themselves looking up birds, bugs, and tracks, they barely notice the distance they're walking. In other words, hiking!



To summarize my slightly-exxagerated-for-humorous-purposes intro: there are some good nature reference iPhone apps out there. Let me show you a few!

Birds
There are a number of great bird references for the iPhone (several of which also have Android versions either out or under development). iBird is the first, biggest option, with a huge database of birds and versions geared toward heavy-duty birding or backyard use. MacWorld named it "Best Reference App" in 2009, and it's no wonder why. The pro version will set you back $29.99, but there's a free version for cheapskates like me. Available for both the iPhone and Android.

The Audubon Society has done a monumental job of making their massive reference library available online at Audubon Guides. Anyone can search from the website, but iPhone (and, soon, Android) users can buy digital field guides to take along. And not just for birds -- plants, sea creatures, wildflowers, and more.

The first time my parents took me camping, on a lark (heh), my mom brought along a used copy of Roger Tory Peterson's Field Guide to Western Birds. So I've got a soft spot for Peterson Guides. If you're looking for decent bird lookup on a budget, the $2.99 pricetag makes this app a little easier to take. Another good option: National Geographic's Handheld Birds.

Bugs
If your wildlife-watching is closer to the ground, grab a field guide geared toward insects and other wildlife. Audubon puts out several guides to creepy crawlies, including insects, reptiles and amphibians. Or, check out iButterflies and Bugs and Insects.



Animal Tracking
While you're on the ground, keep an eye open for other animal signs. You might luck onto an animal track or, more likely, some scat. Yes, there is an iPhone app that catalogs piles of poop. Falcon Guides Scats and Tracks will give you the low-down. If you'd rather not know about animals' elimination habits (which is a shame, because you can learn a lot about an animal that way), MyNature Animal Tracks sticks to tracks. Have I missed any?

What are your favorite apps to use while out on a hike?

I'd like to thank my family for inspiring this article. They are much more cooperative and game for adventure than I make them out to be. Really.

See more from Parent Hacks:
Gather Round the iPad for Family Games
Track Your Kid's Allowance Online
6 Sites to Help You Plan a Summer Roadtrip
Create a "Possibilities" Calendar

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Asha Dornfest is the founder of Parent Hacks -- where savvy parents swap clever, often unconventional, parenting tips. Here's the practical, real-world stuff you'll never find in an "expert" book. Featured in Real Simple, Parents, and PC Magazine.