Planning Your Night as a Bird Charger (Strategy, Tips & Tricks)

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As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, the Bird craze is heating up. Tourists and locals alike enjoy riding the scooters, which has led to an increase in demand for Bird Chargers. But some markets are becoming saturated, so how can a Bird Charger earn more? Edmund from ScooterTalk.org, a forum for Bird Chargers, Mechanics and riders, shares his secrets for a successful BCS – “Bird Capture Streak.”

Not too long ago, residents in cities across the U.S. awoke to find Birds placed at corners throughout the city. A few saw this as an opportunity and wasted little time to sign up to become Bird Chargers. They were quickly out scouring the streets in search for Birds to capture.

Times were great for these early chargers, but as word spread of their success, more Chargers joined them and the market became more saturated.

However, in this article, I’ll show how you can come up with your own plan of attack: a Bird Capture Streak (BCS). Many Chargers go out, hunting for Birds aimlessly, hoping they’ll pick up a few and make some money. I’ll show you one way that’s more targeted, efficient – and hopefully as profitable for you as it is for me.

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As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, the Bird craze is heating up. Tourists and locals alike enjoy riding the scooters, which has led to an increase in demand for Bird Chargers. But some markets are becoming saturated, so how can a Bird Charger earn more? Edmund from BirdForum.co, a forum for Bird Chargers, Mechanics and riders, shares his secrets for a successful BCS - “Bird Capture Streak.”

Going on a Bird Capture Streak

Those Chargers who were able to adapt to the changing landscape have realized the importance of planning their route before heading off in search for Birds to capture. By using resources offered in the app, they are able to pinpoint which Birds have a high probability of capture and look to set a new personal best BCS (Bird Capture Streak).

Though not incentivized by Bird, the BCS is another way to make searching for Birds more of a game. The adrenaline builds with each consecutive capture until eventually it all comes to an end when that one Bird that can’t be found.

Here are the resources Bird provides and how to make the most out of them:

Start by reviewing the map looking for the Birds closest to you and work your way outward (photo 1).

Photo 1 – Select Closest Bird

Click a Bird and select “More Options” (photo 2) to make the following tools available:

Photo 2 – Click “More Options”

Alarm (photo 3)
When the alarm is working, it’ll send a new GPS signal to the app and reset the last location. Sound the alarm and check if the Bird has changed locations. This could be a sign of a Charger transporting uncaptured Birds. Pay extra close attention when a group of Birds are together.

Photo 3 – Screen showing Last Location, Alarm, and Navigate to Bird

Last Location (photo 3)
If the alarm did not work correctly, determine your cut off time since last location and disregard Birds that are over this amount. The cut off time will vary by location, but will usually be no more than one hour.

Navigate to Bird
Have the app navigate to the Bird using Google Maps (photo 4) on satellite view. Zoom in on the Bird’s location to see if it’s reachable (photo 5). Keep an eye out for gated apartment complexes and locations that are on top of a homes or deep in private property (photos below).

Photo 4 – Click Navigate to Bird then click Google

Photo 5 – Review GPS location of Bird while keeping an eye out for obstacles.

Gated Community

Bird Located Inside a Building

Google Street View (photo 6)
Take a look at street view to learn more about the area you are heading. This will give you insight into large elevation changes, gates, and other obstacles that could prevent you from picking up a Bird.

Related article: essential gear every scooter charger should have

Photo 6 – Review Google Street View to familiarize yourself with the destination

Upon reviewing these steps, if no red flags appear, make note of the Bird’s ID and GPS location on a sheet of paper (photo 7). Then repeat the process with the next closest Bird until the map has been covered. With experience the process will take about 15 minutes and provide a gauge if venturing out to capture Birds is worth your time. If you decide to head out you’ll have a list of Birds with a high probability of capture and well on your way to setting a new BCS (photo 8)!

Photo 7 – List of Birds to capture

Photo 7 – List of Birds to capture

Photo 8 – Actual photo of Bird from this example.

Here’s to a Successful Bird Capture Streak

As you can see, with a little planning in advance, you can achieve a successful BCS. By using these strategies, you will work smarter, not harder – and earn more. No more aimlessly driving around, searching for Birds that may already be picked up. This strategy puts you in control and helps you earn the most in the shortest amount of time.

Edmund is a part-time scooter charger and rideshare driver in Atlanta, GA. With over a thousand captures and rides under his belt he’s well experienced in making the most of the gig economy. You can find him under the username BirdWatcher on ScooterTalk.org, and you can follow him on Twitter here.

Readers, what questions do you have about being a Bird Charger? What strategies do you use to quickly pick up Birds?

-Harry @ RSG

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