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I have for some time now wanted the classic Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand to be produced in a digital form. The Twitcher app for iPhone and iPad is a great quick reference, but I crave more. More info, more pictures.

So I was very interested to read that the Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds has been made available online as a searchable database.

That word "database" had me worried, and I was kinda not disappointed on that front.

I signed up (it's free) and had a look around. I will say this — it's VERY comprehensive in its information. A little on the scientific side rather than the enthusiast side. I was disappointed that one of the chief problems it has is a dearth of pictures. The first entry I chose to look at had none; others have a few simple illustrations. Shame.

I find Derek Onley's illustrations in the Field Guide very good in aiding recognition.

If I had the rights, I'd put some work into converting the Field Guide into an app. Just having a digital book would be a start, but being able to directly search and reference by various names and traits would be most excellent. Actually it's probably due an update as the latest edition is now 10 years old.

Anyway, I will keep the HANZAB in my back pocket as a potential clarifying source when the Field Guide does not get me a reliable answer.

Check it out for yourself: https://hanzab.birdlife.org.au/

#Birds #BirdsNZ