In a studio on the northern California coast, ornithological illustrator Keith Hansen uses an ultra-fine sable brush to paint delicate blue feathers onto a watercolor of a painted bunting. The piece represents illustration number 420 in a monumental goal: hand-painting all 1,000 bird species recorded across the United States and Canada. His artwork forms the visual foundation for Flock, a new mobile app designed with an unusual mission.
Rather than trying to maximize screen time or profit from user attention like typical digital platforms, Flock seeks to do the opposite. Created by Hansen alongside tech industry veterans Adam Donkin and Bob Stevenson, the application uses game mechanics and social features to nudge users off their phones and into nature.
The project combines distinct areas of expertise. Hansen has studied and illustrated birds for decades, while Donkin previously led user experience design for Amazon's Kindle e-readers. Stevenson spent decades directing art for major video game companies before discovering birdwatching in his late forties. Stevenson quickly realized that birding shared strong parallels with multiplayer gaming, such as developing identification skills, tracking personal species lists, and participating in a supportive community.
The founders hope Flock will inspire a new generation of birders and conservationists. By turning wildlife observation into an accessible and engaging experience, the creators aim to spark curiosity about local ecosystems, motivating users to protect habitats starting in their own backyards.