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Changelog

Stay up to date with all the improvements and new features we're adding to BirdTab. We're constantly working to make your bird-watching experience better.

Version 2.0.2

Improvement
April 17, 2026Faster Media Loading

Faster image loading

Bird photos now appear before audio starts downloading. Previously, the image and audio would download at the same time, competing for bandwidth and slowing down the first thing you see. Now the bird photo loads first at high priority, and audio only begins downloading once the image is visible — making the new tab experience noticeably faster, especially on slower connections.

Audio buffering indicator

The play button now shows a subtle pulsing glow while audio is loading, so you always know when the bird sound is ready to play.

Version 1.3.9

New Feature
March 20, 2026Low Distraction Mode & Bird Info Popover

Low distraction mode

Hide the bird info panel for a cleaner new tab experience. Toggle it on or off with a single click — your preference is saved and persists across sessions.

Bird info popover

Click the bird name to open a rich field-guide popover with the scientific name, about text, conservation status, range map, and a direct link to eBird. Replaces the old tooltip for a more informative experience.

World region

New "World" region option at the top of the region selector shows birds from all regions worldwide. High Seas region also moved to the top for easier access.

Polish language support

Full Polish (Polski) translation added, bringing the total number of supported languages to 10.

Liquid glass search input

The search box now features a modern liquid glass visual effect with backdrop blur for a polished, contemporary look.

Version 1.3.8

New Feature
February 23, 2026Video & Audio Improvements

Improved video playback reliability

Fixed an issue where clicking on media in a previously inactive tab wouldn't properly reload the video, causing a blank or stale frame to persist.

Smarter audio playback

Bird audio now reliably skips recordist commentary at the start of recordings, so you hear the bird call immediately without introductory narration.

Version 1.3.7

New Feature
February 6, 2026Edge Support & Google Apps Improvements

Microsoft Edge support

BirdTab is now available for Microsoft Edge! A dedicated Edge build with Edge-specific UI elements and optimized favicon loading ensures a native-feeling experience on Edge.

Google Apps improvements

Drag-and-drop reordering for your Google Apps shortcuts. Google Apps now also open in the current tab instead of a new one for a smoother workflow.

Search query fixes

Fixed URL encoding for search queries — spaces now use `+` instead of `%20` for better compatibility. Also added the `hints=search` parameter to ChatGPT searches so queries are submitted automatically.

Stability fixes

Fixed a null reference error in bird lookup and a race condition in video playback that could cause unexpected crashes in certain scenarios.

Version 1.3.6

New Feature
January 30, 2026Options Menu Redesign

Unified options menu

Consolidated Settings, History, and Quiz into a new unified options menu. Added settings categories with improved UI organization and implemented search engine selection.

Google Apps & Chrome integration

Added Google Apps quick access button and Chrome Tab shortcut to quickly access the default Chrome new tab page.

New countdown timer

Comprehensive UX with new clock component design. Timer close button now switches to clock instead of showing confirmation dialog.

Media & playback improvements

Click anywhere to play/pause. Quiet hours now allows muted video auto-play. Improved volume slider with exponential control.

Visual polish & animations

Slide-in animations for credits, smoother video/timer animations, and a polished UI experience throughout.

Version 1.3.5

Bug Fix
January 14, 2026UI Improvements

Fixed play/pause button positioning

Play and pause buttons now display consistently in the correct position, regardless of which quick access elements (clock, search bar, top sites) are visible.

Clock toggle in popup menu

Toggle the clock display directly from the popup menu, in addition to the settings modal. Access your clock settings more conveniently.

Version 1.3.4

New Feature
January 11, 2026Clock Display

Clock display

Display a beautiful clock on your new tab page. Keep track of time while enjoying stunning bird imagery.

Version 1.3.3

Bug Fix
January 10, 2026Stability & Compatibility

Improved media playback

Better handling of video and audio playback across different devices. Fixed issues where media might not play on certain browsers or configurations.

Smarter feature spotlights

Existing users now only see spotlights for genuinely new features when upgrading, rather than being shown features they've already discovered.

Version 1.3.2

New Feature
January 9, 2026Chrome New Tab Access

Access Chrome's default new tab

Miss Chrome's default new tab page? A new Chrome icon in the top-right corner lets you quickly access Chrome's original new tab page whenever you need it.

Hide Chrome footer notification

New notification helps you hide the Chrome footer that appears on new tab pages, giving you a cleaner viewing experience.

Quiz result fix

Fixed an issue where quiz results would incorrectly show the correct answer twice instead of displaying your actual answer alongside the correct one.

Version 1.3.1

Bug Fix
January 6, 2026Stability Improvements

Fixed settings button responsiveness

Resolved an issue where the settings button could become unresponsive after clicking on mailto links. The settings button now works reliably in all scenarios.

Version 1.3.0

New Feature
January 6, 2026Video Mode & Enhanced Quiz Experience

Video mode with bird footage

Experience birds in motion! Toggle between stunning photos and captivating video footage. Video mode includes a YouTube-style pause indicator, volume controls, and proper credits for videographers. Perfect for bringing nature to life on your new tab.

High-resolution images

Enjoy crystal-clear, high-resolution bird images with superior detail and quality. See every feather in stunning clarity.

Quiz mode redesign with dark theme

Completely redesigned quiz experience with a beautiful dark theme, Chrome-style loading progress bar, and shareable results. Download a collage of your quiz birds and share your score with friends!

Bird viewing history

New history feature lets you revisit birds you've seen before. Browse your past discoveries with a stunning glassmorphism modal design and quickly jump back to any bird.

Feature tour for new users

Interactive welcome tour guides new users through BirdTab's features, including volume controls, play/pause functionality, and quiz mode. Get started with confidence!

Improved loading experience

Better handling for slow connections with visual indicators, retry logic for image loading, and skeleton UI during quiz loading. BirdTab now works smoothly even on slower networks.

Version 1.2.14

New Feature
December 29, 2025Share & Connect

Share your discoveries

New share button lets you share BirdTab with friends and family. Share via Twitter/X, Facebook, WhatsApp, or copy the link directly. On mobile devices, the native share menu makes sharing even easier.

Click bird names to learn more

Bird names are now clickable! Click on any bird's common or scientific name to visit its eBird page and learn more about the species, including range maps, sounds, and photos from birders around the world.

Version 1.2.13

Improvement
December 26, 2025Reliability Improvements

Fixed background script communication

Resolved an issue where "No response from background script" error could occur when opening new tabs, especially after the browser has been idle for a while.

Improved network performance

Added request timeouts and better handling for slow or unstable network connections. BirdTab now gracefully handles network issues without hanging indefinitely.

Better audio tab switching

Improved handling when switching between tabs while audio is playing. Audio playback is now properly managed to prevent conflicts.

Enhanced error recovery

Better experience for users in regions with restricted internet access. Added smarter retry logic that only retries when necessary to minimize API load.

Version 1.2.12

New Feature
December 22, 2025Localized Bird Names

French bird names (Français)

Bird names are now displayed in French for users with French language preferences. See "Mésange bleue" instead of "Blue Tit" and explore birds in your native language.

Chinese bird names (中文)

Full support for Chinese bird names. Whether you're learning about birds or prefer reading in Chinese, enjoy bird names like "蓝山雀" in your new tabs.

Version 1.2.11

New Feature
June 19, 2025Quiz Mode & Volume Control

Interactive Quiz Mode

Test your bird knowledge with the new quiz mode! Identify birds by their photos and calls, track your score, and learn fascinating facts about each species. Perfect for both beginners and experienced birders.

BirdTab-specific volume control

New dedicated volume slider for BirdTab audio. Adjust bird call volume independently from your system volume, so you can enjoy bird sounds at your preferred level without affecting other audio.

Version 1.2.10

New Feature
June 18, 2025Multi-language Support

9 language translations

BirdTab now speaks your language! Full interface translations for: English, Arabic (العربية), German (Deutsch), Spanish (Español), French (Français), Japanese (日本語), Portuguese (Português), Russian (Русский), and Chinese (中文).

Localized interface

All tooltips, labels, buttons, and messages throughout the application are now properly localized. The extension name and description also appear in your browser's language.

Localized region selection

Country names in the region selector are now displayed in your preferred language for easier navigation.

Version 1.2.9

New Feature
June 16, 2025Top Sites Section

Quick access to your favorite sites

New top sites section displays your most visited websites, just like Chrome's default new tab. Access your favorite sites with a single click while enjoying beautiful bird imagery.

Custom shortcuts

Add your own custom shortcuts alongside your most visited sites. Personalize your new tab experience with quick links to the websites you use most.

Version 1.2.8

Improvement
June 11, 2025Settings Overhaul

New settings modal

Completely redesigned settings experience with a beautiful modal interface. Access all your preferences in one organized place with improved accessibility and focus management.

Settings icon in bottom right

Quick access to settings via a convenient icon in the bottom right corner. No more hunting for options—they're always just one click away.

Improved accessibility

Enhanced keyboard navigation with proper ARIA attributes and focus management for a better experience for all users.

Version 1.2.7

New Feature
January 16, 2025Search Box Option

Integrated search box

New optional search box right on your new tab page. Search the web without opening a new tab or navigating away from BirdTab. Toggle it on or off in settings based on your preference.

Seamless browser integration

The search box integrates with your browser's default search engine, providing a familiar search experience while you enjoy bird photos.

Version 1.2.6

Bug Fix
August 27, 2024Visual Fixes

Fixed photographer and recordist credits

Corrected visual styling for photographer and recordist attribution. Credit information now displays properly and consistently across all screen sizes.

Version 1.2.5

Improvement
August 6, 2024Feedback Collection

Uninstall feedback survey

Added an optional feedback survey when uninstalling BirdTab. Your feedback helps us understand what we can improve and make BirdTab better for everyone.

Version 1.2.4

New Feature
August 5, 2024Quiet Hours

Enable/disable quiet hours

New quiet hours feature lets you schedule times when bird sounds are automatically muted. Perfect for work hours, meetings, or late-night browsing. Set your preferred quiet times and BirdTab will respect them.

Automatic sound management

During quiet hours, bird calls are silenced automatically so you can enjoy peaceful bird photos without unexpected audio. Sounds resume automatically when quiet hours end.

Want to see future updates?

Install BirdTab and enjoy beautiful birds with every new tab. Updates are delivered automatically through your browser.