We’re happy to announce the launch of the Build a Bird mobile application in the App Store, Android Market and Amazon Marketplace! Build a Bird is an educational app that teaches children and all bird lovers about different types of birds, their habitats and behaviors – specifically how birds have adapted their beaks, wing shapes and sizes, flapping frequencies, body size and feet to survive and thrive in specific environments.

The “Build” part of the app provides an opportunity for the user to test their learning by creating a bird that is adapted to a specific environment. On completion the user can ‘fly’ the bird through its natural environment. The app has launched with the albatross, barn owl, hummingbird, peregrine falcon, sparrow, turkey vulture and I-SITE favorite the much maligned pigeon. Sorry no puffin yet!

In order to create this educational, fun and interactive experience we worked with the beautiful illustrations of Ioana and videos from our friends at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. We designed the app to appeal to the younger demographic, as well as to not distract from the important learning aspect.

Build a Bird Version 1.0.0 was created by using Adobe Flash Professional 5.5, Adobe Flash Builder 4.5, Adobe AIR 2.7, ActionScript 3 and made specifically for iOS 4x, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod Touch and Android 2.2+. Special mentions go to Rob Hall for his development savvy and and Dana Pavlichko for the screen designs.

Th app was developed for Iridescent Learning, a science-education nonprofit that helps engineers, scientists and high-tech professionals bring cutting edge science, technology and engineering to high school girls, and underprivileged minority children and their families. Based in Los Angeles Iridescent has learning centers in LA, the Bay Area and New York City. The project was funded by the Office of Naval Research [ONR].

You can find and download the application through the App Store, Android Market and Amazon Marketplace. Since release in the App Store on July 13 the app has been featured in the ‘New and Newsworthy’ section and downloaded over 50,000 times.