If you love watching birds and want to make your sightings count, eBird is the tool for you. Run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, eBird is a global database where birders record their observations, explore data, and contribute directly to bird conservation. 

What is eBird? 

At its simplest, eBird is an online checklist system. Every time you submit a list of the birds you see, the data goes into a massive database. Scientists, conservationists, and birders use eBird to track migration, monitor population trends, and better understand the health of bird species around the world. 

Merlin vs. eBird: What’s the Difference? 

Many new birders start with Merlin Bird ID, another app from the Cornell Lab, and wonder how it compares to eBird. Here’s the breakdown: 

Merlin Bird ID 

• Designed to help you identify birds using photos, sounds, or guided questions. 
• Beginner-friendly, like having a digital field guide in your pocket. 
• Great for learning and building confidence in your IDs. 

eBird 

• Designed to record the birds you identify. 
• Stores your sightings in personal lists (e.g., life, year, and county lisst). 
• Contributes data to conservation and research efforts worldwide. 
• Lets you explore sightings in your area and find new birding spots. 

Pro Tip: Use Merlin to identify the bird, then log it in eBird so your sighting contributes to science. 

How to Join eBird 

1. Create a free account at ebird.org. 
2. Download the eBird app (iOS/Android) to submit sightings in the field. 
3. Start your first checklist. You will be prompted to record where you are, the date, and the birds you see. 

Tips for Getting Started 

• Start small. Try recording birds at your feeder or local park. 
• Be accurate. Count and report the exact number of individuals. If you don’t know the species you are seeing, don’t guess. It is ok to report Sparrow sp. (unknown sparrow) or Cooper’s Hawk/Sharp-shinned Hawk (when you can’t distinguish between the two species), and much better for data accuracy. 
• Add notes. Especially for unusual birds, describe field marks or behaviors you observed. If the app tells you that you are reporting a rare bird, please add details. In the case of a rare bird an eBird reviewer will need to review those notes before the sighting is made public. 
• Explore. Use the “Explore” tab to see what others are reporting nearby. 
• Don’t stress. Even a single checklist with common birds is valuable. 

Why eBird Data Matters in New Hampshire 

Your eBird checklists don’t just stay on your phone—they directly support bird conservation in New Hampshire. 

• NH Audubon uses eBird data to track statewide bird populations, monitor migration patterns, and guide conservation action. For example, eBird helps identify where grassland birds are and potential Common Nighthawk nesting sites. 
• New Hampshire Bird Records relies on eBird submissions to compile seasonal reports, rare bird alerts, and long-term population trends. Many of the stories and data summaries you see in New Hampshire Bird Records begin with birder checklists submitted through eBird. 

By using eBird, you’re not just keeping a personal bird journal—you’re adding your observations to a statewide and global effort to protect birds. To learn more about eBird and all its features take the free, self paced online course eBird Essentials.