In the bustling world of amateur and professional birding, two apps stand out for recording wildlife observations: Faune-France, the French showcase of a network of regional portals, and eBird, a global platform backed by the renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Available on both Android and iPhone, they offer complementary approaches to documenting bird biodiversity. Here is an overview of these two tools in the service of citizen science.

Faune-France and its mobile app: the national tool of the LPO network

Faune-France is the national portal of the Information System on Nature and Landscapes (SINP), run by a consortium of naturalist organisations, notably led by the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO). The platform brings together data from around twenty local portals (Faune-Bretagne, Faune-Île-de-France, Faune-Champagne-Ardenne, etc.).

Its associated mobile app, called NaturaList, is available for free on Android and iPhone. It allows users to:

• enter bird observations (as well as mammals, insects, amphibians, etc.),

• automatically geolocate records,

• view species already observed nearby,

• add photos and comments.

The interface is sometimes seen as a bit technical for beginners, but it is extremely powerful for regular users, especially thanks to its tight integration with regional portals.

eBird: the global platform from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (USA), eBird is a giant in worldwide bird recording. Available in French, it also has official Android and iOS apps, both free.

With eBird, users can:

• record complete lists of birds seen during an outing (checklists),

• get identification suggestions via Merlin Bird ID (a companion app),

• access a huge global database,

• track personal statistics (number of species, sites visited, etc.),

• view occurrence maps by species and season.

eBird appeals with its modern, smooth, public-friendly interface, while remaining rigorous enough for researchers and institutions worldwide.

The community dimension: more than a notebook, a network

Both platforms also include a strong community element, helping connect enthusiasts.

Faune-France relies on a network of regional organisations run by volunteer and professional naturalists. Each record is reviewed, and contributors can exchange via local portals. Seasonal summaries, bird alerts and regional rankings strengthen observer engagement.

eBird, on the other hand, takes a more international approach: each user has a public profile with their observations, lists and photos. Country- or hotspot-based rankings allow comparisons with others. Users can also explore other observers’ checklists and comment on records. Finally, eBird supports group outings by enabling shared, collective checklists.

Comparison: Faune-France vs eBird

Conclusion: choose according to your wings

For those who want to contribute to biodiversity knowledge in France while getting involved locally, Faune-France/NaturaList is a must-have, notably thanks to its close links with French associations and scientific networks. By contrast, for binocular-toting globetrotters or fans of personal stats, eBird offers a smooth, attractive, worldwide experience.

In the end, the two platforms are not in opposition: they complement each other. Savvy users may even use both, switching between fine-scale local data and a global view of migration. A great way to put technology at the service of observation… and conservation.