eBird Data Access

Data Owner

Data Access: Open for science and research use

eBird is a valuable data resource for science and conservation, collecting millions of bird observations per month from around the world. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is committed to making eBird data openly available to the public for research and education. eBird raw data are available in several forms, all available through the download tool link above. The eBird Basic Dataset is a quarterly snapshot of the database updated on 15 March, June, September, and December. It contains the basic variables needed to perform scientific research with the data. The eBird Basic Dataset allows users to download records of any species from anywhere around the world. A specialized download tool has been developed to allow users to request data through a combination of species, date range, and region. All valid data are included in the results. Each data package includes the requested data, a metadata document, and a copy of the Terms of Use, which must be adhered to when performing analysis and publication.

The eBird Reference Dataset is updated annually, and is designed for more rigorous scientific modeling. It contains only effort-based checklists, meaning that all observations were reported and some measure of observer effort was recorded, for the Lower 48 United States. In addition to the bird data, a suite of environmental and spatial covariates has been added to facilitate modeling. This dataset is very large and difficult to manipulate without advanced computing techniques, and it comes bundled as a single package.

Abstract

eBird, a project developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, provides a simple way for birders to keep track of the birds they see anywhere in North America. You can retrieve information on your bird observations, from your backyard to your neighborhood to your favorite bird-watching locations, at any time for your personal use. You can also access the entire historical database to find out what other eBirders are reporting from around the world. In addition, the cumulative eBird database is used by birdwatchers, scientists, and conservationists who want to know more about the distributions and movement patterns of birds across the continent.

Purpose

eBird's goal is to maximize the utility and accessibility of the vast numbers of bird observations made each year by recreational and professional bird watchers. It is amassing one of the largest and fastest growing biodiversity data resources in existence.

The observations of each participant join those of others in an international network of eBird users. eBird then shares these observations with a global community of educators, land managers, ornithologists, and conservation biologists. In time these data will become the foundation for a better understanding of bird distribution across the western hemisphere and beyond.

eBird documents the presence or absence of species, as well as bird abundance through checklist data. A simple and intuitive web-interface engages tens of thousands of participants to submit their observations or view results via interactive queries into the eBird database. eBird encourages users to participate by providing Internet tools that maintain their personal bird records and enable them to visualize data with interactive maps, graphs, and bar charts. All these features are available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

A birder enters when, where, and how they went birding, then fills out a checklist of all the birds seen and heard during the outing. eBird provides various options for data gathering including point counts, transects, and area searches. Automated data quality filters developed by regional bird experts review all submissions before they enter the database. Local experts review unusual records that are flagged by the filters.

eBird collects observations from birders through portals managed and maintained by local partner conservation organizations. In this way eBird targets specific audiences with the highest level of local expertise, promotion, and project ownership. Portals may have a regional focus (aVerAves, eBird Puerto Rico, eBird Chile) or they may have more specific goals and/or specific methodologies (Louisiana Winter Bird Atlas, Bird Conservation Network eBird). Each eBird portal is fully integrated within the eBird database and application infrastructure so that data can be analyzed across political and geographic boundaries. For example, observers entering observations of Cape May Warbler from Puerto Rico can view those data separately, or with the entire Cape May Warbler data set gathered by eBird across the western hemisphere.

Supplemental Information

eBird data are stored in a secure facility and archived daily, and are accessible to anyone via the eBird web site and other applications developed by the global biodiversity information community. For example, eBird data are part of the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN), which integrates observational data on bird populations across the western hemisphere. In turn, the AKN feeds eBird data to international biodiversity data systems, such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). In this way any contribution made to eBird increases our understanding of the distribution, richness, and uniqueness of the biodiversity of our planet.

Recommended Citation Format

Data Provider. Year Accessed. Project Name. Avian Knowledge Network. Ithaca, NY. <www.avianknowledge.net>. (Accessed: Date [e.g., February 2, 2008 ]).

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2012. eBird. Avian Knowledge Network. Ithaca, NY. www.avianknowledge.net. (Accessed: 1 November 2012).

eBird Primary References:

Sullivan, B.L., C.L. Wood, M.J. Iliff, R.E. Bonney, D. Fink, and S. Kelling. 2009. eBird: a citizen-based bird observation network in the biological sciences. Biological Conservation 142: 2282-2292.

Wood, C., B. Sullivan, M. Iliff, D. Fink, S. Kelling. 2011. eBird: Engaging Birders in Science and Conservation. PLoS Biol 9(12): e1001220. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001220

TERMS OF USE

Building and managing the systems that enable the collection and careful management of data in eBird requires ongoing time, effort, and expense for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Thousands of participants freely provide the data to eBird, and in this same spirit we make these data freely available for non-commercial use.

In order to help financially maintain and develop eBird, we need to receive acknowledgement for our work when others use these data for non-commercial purposes. The formal terms of use (specified below) describe the mechanisms through which we can ensure that appropriate credit is given for the benefit of maintaining and growing eBird.

THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE (the "Terms") ARE A LEGAL AND BINDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND CORNELL UNIVERSITY ON BEHALF OF THE CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY (hereinafter "Cornell Lab of Ornithology") governing your use of eBird data:

    •    eBird data are supplied only for applied and basic research and education.
    •    The Cornell Lab of Ornithology will update the eBird data available at any time.
    •    The users of eBird data will provide a full and appropriate acknowledgement and citation in any materials or publications derived in part or in whole from the data; relevant citation details are provided with each dataset. For any publication making substantial use of the eBird data, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology welcomes opportunities for commenting on the work prior to publication, for collaboration, and for co-authorship if we contribute substantial intellectual input in a publication. Expressions of interest can be sent to bls42@cornell.edu.
    •    Reproduction of any eBird data or any products derived from it, either whole or in part, for commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. For the purposes of these Terms of Use, "commercial purposes" means: a) any use by, on behalf of, or to inform or assist the activities of, a commercial entity (an entity that operates 'for profit'); or b) use by any non-profit entity for the purposes of revenue generation. If you require permission please contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology via email to bls42@cornell.edu.
    •    The recipient will only use the eBird data provided for the purpose for which it was requested. If subsequent or different use is required the recipient must contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology again for written approval.
    •    The recipient will not pass the original datasets on to any third parties and will direct all such thirds parties' requests for use of eBird data back to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
    •    The recipient will not publish or publicly distribute eBird data in their original format, either whole or in part, in any media, including but not limited to on a website, FTP site, CD, memory stick. The recipient should provide a link to the original data source location on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website where appropriate.
    •    The recipient may only pass on datasets derived from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's original eBird data (in forms not limited to tabular and graphical representations) if these derived data are supplied with the same Terms of Use.
    •    Your use of any eBird data does not constitute endorsement by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology of any derived products, reports, or analyses. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and eBird logos must not be used on any derived products, reports, or analyses, or supporting materials, without express written permission.
    •    All eBird data are provided with additional supporting metadata sufficient to make sensible and informed decisions about data use. The recipient must read all supporting metadata prior to any analysis and agree to abide by any stipulations contained therein. Where appropriate, Cornell Lab of Ornithology staff can provide additional guidance on request to aid in the correct use and interpretation of the data.
    •    The Cornell Lab of Ornithology endeavors to maintain accurate and up-to-date data at all times, but can accept no responsibility for the consequences of errors or omissions in the data, for misuse of the data by any organization or individual, or for any damage done to computing systems into which the data are entered (see Disclaimer below).
    •    User agrees to send, free of charge, an electronic copy of all products published using eBird data supplied by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to Christopher Wood at: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 158 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA; or via email to bls42@cornell.edu.

Disclaimer

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology makes no warranties or representations, express or implied, with regard to the correctness, reliability, or accuracy of any eBird data, or otherwise. All eBird data is provided "as-is." The material and geographic designations in eBird data do not imply the expressions of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, nor concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Neither the Cornell Lab of Ornithology nor its affiliated or related entities or its content providers shall be responsible or liable to any person, firm, or corporation for any loss, damage, injury, claim, or liability of any kind or character based on or resulting from any use of any eBird data.

Indemnification and Limitation of Liability

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Cornell University, its trustees, officers, employees, and agents, from and against all losses, expenses, damages, and costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, resulting from your violation of these Terms. You expressly understand and agree Cornell University shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses (even if Cornell has been advised of the possibility of such damages), resulting from your use of any eBird data.

Errors and Omissions

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology endeavors to maintain accurate and up-to-date data at all times. However, if errors or omissions are identified, the user should notify the Cornell Lab of Ornithology so that they can be corrected in future releases of the data. Users can contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology using the details below. Please mark all correspondence: "Information Science--Data Request".
Email: bls42@cornell.edu
Postal Address: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850.

Contact

Brian Sullivan (Western US): bls42@cornell.edu
Chris Wood (Central US, Latin America): clw37@cornell.edu
Marshall Iliff (Eastern US): mji26@cornell.edu

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