Gamified Birdwatching: Earn Points for Sightings

A new application, Birdex, has launched to make birdwatching more engaging by incorporating game-like features. Users earn points for each bird sighting, with less common species awarding higher scores. The app also allows users to add friends and compare their bird spotting achievements, aiming to appeal to a younger audience by blending technology with an appreciation for nature.

Birdex has garnered significant attention from birdwatchers online. However, the use of AI-generated artwork in the app has become a point of contention for some users. Developers stated that AI was used due to limited funding but plan to commission artists in the future. To date, the app has recorded over 200,000 bird sightings. Experts suggest that if this data is shared, it could benefit citizen science initiatives. Concerns have also been raised about potential risks to vulnerable bird species if the app encourages users to seek them out without proper caution.