eBird by Cornell Lab is designed for recording bird sightings in the field and connecting those observations with eBird, a global online database used by birders worldwide. Alongside helping you keep track of what you see, submitted records are made available for scientific research, education, and conservation efforts.
Recording observations while birding
When you spot birds in the field, the app provides tools for documenting the observation as it happens. You can record the species you see, add quick notes, and plot the location with GPS. Real-time feedback for rare sightings is also included, giving you a way to receive relevant feedback while documenting an unusual record.
Using taxonomy and local checklists
The app includes a global taxonomy based on The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. Common bird names are available in 41 languages and regional versions, supporting birders who work with different naming conventions. Customized checklists are generated for your location and time of year, showing species that are most likely according to eBird data.
Contributing records to eBird
Observations can be linked with eBird so that your records become part of the wider online database. This connection supports the use of bird observations in research, education, and conservation, while also keeping your own sightings organized through the eBird system.
Working without an internet connection
Full offline functionality allows the app to be used in places with limited or no internet access. This supports birding in remote areas, where you can continue recording observations and using the available birding tools away from a connection.