Instagram Story Viewer

Are you ready for Global Big Day and the May eBirder of the Month Challenge, sponsored by @zeissnature ?
THE CHALLENGE: Submit 5+ eligible checklists on Global Big Day (9 May, 2026) for your chance to win a brand new ZEISS SFL 8×40 binocular and become May's eBirder of the Month! 🔥

THE STAKES: This year we might break 8,000 species in a single calendar day for the FIRST. TIME. EVER. Your checklists could help the birding community reach this historic threshold! 🤯

THE IMPACT: Every checklist you submit, whether its your yard, local patch, or favorite birding hotspot, provides data for conservation and research. 📊

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR DAY:
✅ Team up with fellow birders (birding is better with friends!)
✅ Use @merlin.bird.id to help with those tricky IDs
✅ Use Hotspot About pages and Hotspot Groups to plan your Big Day adventures

May 9th is your chance to be part of birding history and qualify for the eBirder of the Month Challenge! Tap the corresponding image linked in our bio to learn more about how to participate.

Global Big Day 2026 is almost here! 🌍

Last year, birders documented 7,931 species in just 24 hours. This year, we're going for a new record: 8,000 species in a single day. Join the world-wide celebration on 9 May and help make history, one checklist at a time 🐦
Tap the corresponding image linked in our bio to learn how you can participate.

What species are you hoping to find? Drop them in the comments and use #GlobalBigDay for a chance to be featured in eBird's annual event recap.

Image Credit: Brown Boobook, Ninox scutulata © Rejaul Karim / Macaulay Library

New eBird Hotspot Groups bring large birding destinations together under a single overview page.
- A map of every hotspot in the group
- A location leaderboard of the most-visited and most-species-rich spots
- Combined checklist activity for the whole area

Think of it as a table of contents for complex birding destinations. Whether you're planning a first visit or a return trip, get the full picture before you arrive.

Ready to go the extra mile for science? Submit separate checklists for each location in the group that you visit. Your activity counts toward both the specific hotspot and the overall group, giving you extra credit for your birding efforts! 💯

Explore new eBird Hotspot Groups near you. Tap the matching link in our bio to learn more.

{Image Description: Two images. The first is a satellite image of a coastline with urban development. Six green pins are placed around the map. Below the map is a list of these sites, linked to their eBird Hotspot pages. The second image is the same list of sites, this time ranked leaderboard-style by the number of checklists and number of species reported there.}

New eBird Hotspot Groups bring large birding destinations together under a single overview page.
- A map of every hotspot in the group
- A location leaderboard of the most-visited and most-species-rich spots
- Combined checklist activity for the whole area

Think of it as a table of contents for complex birding destinations. Whether you're planning a first visit or a return trip, get the full picture before you arrive.

Ready to go the extra mile for science? Submit separate checklists for each location in the group that you visit. Your activity counts toward both the specific hotspot and the overall group, giving you extra credit for your birding efforts! 💯

Explore new eBird Hotspot Groups near you. Tap the matching link in our bio to learn more.

{Image Description: Two images. The first is a satellite image of a coastline with urban development. Six green pins are placed around the map. Below the map is a list of these sites, linked to their eBird Hotspot pages. The second image is the same list of sites, this time ranked leaderboard-style by the number of checklists and number of species reported there.}

Your favorite eBird Hotspot deserves a great About page. Here’s your opportunity to write it!

New Hotspot About pages give every eBird Hotspot a dedicated space for local knowledge—birding tips, hours, accessibility details, and more. Content is community-sourced, so the more people who contribute, the more useful it becomes.

eBird Hotspots have always been a resource to discover birds at a location. Now they can tell you more about the place, too! Tap the matching image in our bio to learn more.

{Image Descriptions: Three scenic landscapes with sweeping vistas, water, and distant mountains. Superimposed on each is the eBird Hotspot About page for that location. The content sections are empty except for the prompt “Nothing added yet for this hotspot. Suggest Content”.}

Your favorite eBird Hotspot deserves a great About page. Here’s your opportunity to write it!

New Hotspot About pages give every eBird Hotspot a dedicated space for local knowledge—birding tips, hours, accessibility details, and more. Content is community-sourced, so the more people who contribute, the more useful it becomes.

eBird Hotspots have always been a resource to discover birds at a location. Now they can tell you more about the place, too! Tap the matching image in our bio to learn more.

{Image Descriptions: Three scenic landscapes with sweeping vistas, water, and distant mountains. Superimposed on each is the eBird Hotspot About page for that location. The content sections are empty except for the prompt “Nothing added yet for this hotspot. Suggest Content”.}

Your favorite eBird Hotspot deserves a great About page. Here’s your opportunity to write it!

New Hotspot About pages give every eBird Hotspot a dedicated space for local knowledge—birding tips, hours, accessibility details, and more. Content is community-sourced, so the more people who contribute, the more useful it becomes.

eBird Hotspots have always been a resource to discover birds at a location. Now they can tell you more about the place, too! Tap the matching image in our bio to learn more.

{Image Descriptions: Three scenic landscapes with sweeping vistas, water, and distant mountains. Superimposed on each is the eBird Hotspot About page for that location. The content sections are empty except for the prompt “Nothing added yet for this hotspot. Suggest Content”.}

Every great birding location has a story. Now there’s a place to share it. Community-sourced eBird Hotspot descriptions are here, bringing helpful insights, accessibility details, and more to birding locations around the world.

Anyone with an eBird account can contribute, and content can be added in multiple languages so local knowledge reaches birders everywhere.

Restrooms? Scope-worthy? Beginner-friendly? Permit required? Hotspot Features give you the practical details so you know what to expect—and whether a spot is right for you—before you go.

Check the new About section for your favorite eBird Hotspots, share what you know, and be part of a growing resource that helps people make the most of every visit. Tap the matching image linked in our bio to learn more.

{Image Description: The New eBird Hotspot About page for Laguna Batuco, Santiago, Chile features a map of the location, a site description in multiple languages, a list of key features and amenities, and links to additional resources.}

Every great birding location has a story. Now there’s a place to share it. Community-sourced eBird Hotspot descriptions are here, bringing helpful insights, accessibility details, and more to birding locations around the world.

Anyone with an eBird account can contribute, and content can be added in multiple languages so local knowledge reaches birders everywhere.

Restrooms? Scope-worthy? Beginner-friendly? Permit required? Hotspot Features give you the practical details so you know what to expect—and whether a spot is right for you—before you go.

Check the new About section for your favorite eBird Hotspots, share what you know, and be part of a growing resource that helps people make the most of every visit. Tap the matching image linked in our bio to learn more.

{Image Description: The New eBird Hotspot About page for Laguna Batuco, Santiago, Chile features a map of the location, a site description in multiple languages, a list of key features and amenities, and links to additional resources.}

Imagine you're at this location. What does it sound like there? Soundscapes have the answer!

The April eBirder of the Month Challenge, sponsored by @ZEISSnature , is about depicting the environment through audio soundscapes.

THE CHALLENGE: submit 5+ eligible checklists in April, each with at least one 1-10 minute soundscape recording.
1. Record the ambient environment during your birding session for 1-10 minutes.
2. Finish and submit your eBird checklist.
3. Add the recording to your checklist under the "Habitat/Soundscape" category.
No fancy equipment needed—create recordings with Merlin Bird ID and email the files to yourself!
Think of soundscapes as an audio time capsule. Each recording preserves baseline sounds that researchers and future generations will use to understand how natural environments are changing.
Ready to help build the soundtrack of our planet? Learn more about the April eBirder of the Month challenge by tapping the link in our bio.

[Image Description: A dark green pond surrounded by diverse trees and vegetation, with a forested hill in the background.]

Global Big Day is almost here, mark your calendar for May 9th! 🌍🕊

On 9 May, birders from every corner of the world will head outside to watch, listen, and connect with nature through birds. Last year, over 870,000 participants submitted nearly 115,000 checklists with over 7,000 species in a single day!
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, your sightings matter. Every checklist helps better understand bird populations, migration patterns, and conservation needs.

Will you be submitting checklists this year? Let’s see what the world of birds looks like on 9 May!

[Image Description: A bird with a bright red comb, black chest, and white stomach steps to the left of the frame. The bird displays large lanky toes as it prepares to take another step into a body of water while surrounded by blurred pink flowers. Text on Image: Comb-crested Jacana, Irediparra gallinacea © Maxime Légaré-Vézina/ Macaulay Library, Cornell Lab]

March eBirder of the Month Challenge, sponsored by @zeissnature !
This March, we're celebrating the power of precise data with eBird Mobile. Let the app track your distance and time so you can focus on the birds!

THE CHALLENGE: Submit 20+ eligible checklists from the eBird app with GPS tracks under 5km (3 miles). No travel required—stationary checklists from the app also count towards the challenge!

Why short tracks? With precise locations, scientists can connect birds to their exact habitats. Your precision helps create better range maps, game-changing birding tools, and so much more.

Ready to make every step count? Download eBird Mobile and start tracking! Learn more about the March eBirder of the Month challenge by tapping the matching link in our bio.

[Image Description: A hunched blue and black bird with long legs and long toes wades through calm water in front of a misty background.]

Birding is better together. 💚
During the Great Backyard Bird Count, millions of people across the globe will document the birds they see. Join the world in connecting to birds February 13–16, 2026 and submit eBird checklists to share what you see.
Your backyard, balcony, park, or trail becomes part of a worldwide effort to understand and protect birds. Join us!
.
.
.
[Image Description: A bird with a grey head and back, white chest, and black face mask clings to twigs silhouetted by a moody grey blue background. Text on Image: Northern Shrike, Lanius borealis © Birder sp. / Macaulay Library, Cornell Lab]

New on eBird: Iconic Birds 🌟

Ever wonder what species make a hotspot worth visiting? Introducing Iconic Birds: a new feature on eBird Hotspot pages that highlights the species reported more frequently at that location than in the surrounding region. In other words: the standout species.

Iconic Birds help you make the most of every birding adventure:
- Focus your efforts on key species to target when time is limited ⏰
- Plan smarter trips using data-driven insights to compare locations 🗺️
- Raise awareness by showcasing birds important to conservation efforts 🐣
- Uncover new perspectives on places and birding opportunities ✅

Best of all? It’s powered by complete checklists from eBirders like you. Your observations help others discover the species makes each place iconic. Tap the photo linked in our bio to learn more about this new addition to eBird Hotspot pages. 🌟

New on eBird: Iconic Birds 🌟

Ever wonder what species make a hotspot worth visiting? Introducing Iconic Birds: a new feature on eBird Hotspot pages that highlights the species reported more frequently at that location than in the surrounding region. In other words: the standout species.

Iconic Birds help you make the most of every birding adventure:
- Focus your efforts on key species to target when time is limited ⏰
- Plan smarter trips using data-driven insights to compare locations 🗺️
- Raise awareness by showcasing birds important to conservation efforts 🐣
- Uncover new perspectives on places and birding opportunities ✅

Best of all? It’s powered by complete checklists from eBirders like you. Your observations help others discover the species makes each place iconic. Tap the photo linked in our bio to learn more about this new addition to eBird Hotspot pages. 🌟

New on eBird: Iconic Birds 🌟

Ever wonder what species make a hotspot worth visiting? Introducing Iconic Birds: a new feature on eBird Hotspot pages that highlights the species reported more frequently at that location than in the surrounding region. In other words: the standout species.

Iconic Birds help you make the most of every birding adventure:
- Focus your efforts on key species to target when time is limited ⏰
- Plan smarter trips using data-driven insights to compare locations 🗺️
- Raise awareness by showcasing birds important to conservation efforts 🐣
- Uncover new perspectives on places and birding opportunities ✅

Best of all? It’s powered by complete checklists from eBirders like you. Your observations help others discover the species makes each place iconic. Tap the photo linked in our bio to learn more about this new addition to eBird Hotspot pages. 🌟

The Great Backyard Bird Count is almost here! 🐦🌎
From February 13–16, birders around the world will come together for the Great Backyard Bird Count, an annual celebration of birds, community, and shared discovery.
Whether you’re watching feeders from your kitchen window, exploring a local park, or birding your favorite trail, every checklist matters. In as little as 15 minutes, you can:
- Notice the birds around you
- Count what you see and hear
- Submit your observations to eBird
Any birds you count and submit on checklists to eBird during the four days count toward the GBBC. Wherever you are, however you bird, join us and be part of the Great Backyard Bird Count!

[Image Description: A olive backed and light beige chested bird faces to the left of the frame while perched on a twig against a rich green background. Text on Image: Blue-capped Rock-Thrush, Monticola cinclorhyncha © Sanjib Behera / Macaulay Library]

This penguin is heading straight to the mountains. 🐧 But why? For a quiet place to take a high quality sound recording!
Your dedication to recording sounds are helping Merlin Sound ID learn and grow!
Ready to make your bird recordings sound their best? 🎙️

Head AWAY from:
🚫 Recording birds while walking or talking
🚫 Unnecessary handling noise
🚫 Untrimmed, unprocessed files

Head TOWARDS:
✅ Standing still and letting that bird be the STAR
✅ Trimmed recordings so you hear the birds and not your hands
✅ Normalizing to -3db for easier listening

Saying yes to normalizing just got simpler. The Macaulay Library now auto-normalizes your uploads for you! Your original files stay the same, and the online playback will sound more consistent across recordings.

What does normalization do? It's like having a sound engineer adjust the overall volume to a standard level—making it easier to compare sounds and enjoy a uniform listening experience.

Every clean recording you drop is training Merlin to identify birds better. You're building the future of birding!
Tap the matching image in our bio to learn more!
.
.
.
[Image Description: Penguin meme with two panels. Top panel: Penguin walks away from a faint, barely visible audio spectrogram. Bottom panel: Penguin walks toward the same spectrogram, now normalized with clear and distinct sound waves that are easily distinguished.]