Project eBird gives scientists access to information on bird abundance and distribution at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.
Goals of eBird Research:
Track bird populations
Some species are endangered or at risk of extirpation (local extinction)
Determine if birds are living in new locations now as the climate changes
Monitor shifts in migration patterns and timelines
Migrating birds have moved locations at the same time and on the same path for hundreds of years, but is this changing now with climate change?
Why should you care?
Birds are important for your ecosystem!
Birds take on many roles in the ecosystem to keep it healthy and efficient:
Eliminate carrion and roadkill (reduce disease)
Disperse seeds
Create shelter for other animals
Part of the food web and food chain
And so much more!
Birds are in danger!
Climate change, pollution, and invasive species have the potential to harm millions of these birds every year!
Do these issues happen in your neighborhood?
-->Yes!
It's important to monitor the birds to track potential population drops or distribution shifts!
Did you know?
Bird populations across all species are down 29% now versus just 50 years ago here in North America. That's almost one-third of the amount of birds have died off in just 50 years!!!
Unique Location
Northwest Indiana is a major flyway zonefor millions of migrating birds that visit every winter and spring on the Mississippi Flyway.
You have the ability to see over 325 different species in a year in the area, both native and migrating visitors from your own neighborhood!
Check out what birds have been reported in your city here!
Some cool birds that pass through Northwest Indiana
This department of Cornell University now runs the world's largest biodiversity-related science project with people submitting over 100 million bird sightings each year!
The ornithologists (bird scientists) use data collected by the community to track bird distribution, abnormalities, population, habitat use, and trends.
This data is free to use and helps other scientists study birds.
This means the data can be used to support cases for new laws and regulations involving land preservation, pollution levels, and many other topics that impact both the birds and your community!
Fast Notes
Hundreds of different species of birds can be seen in Northwest Indiana.
Birds are important for our ecosystem, but are threatened due to habitat loss and climate change.
Project eBird tracks data showing bird populations and locations.
eBird was founded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York.
This project allows you to collect data whenever and wherever you want, without any restrictions.