Bird Conservation Groups Are Using Birdwatcher Data to Close Critical Gaps for Declining Species
Bird conservation is entering a new phase where community science is no longer just a helpful add-on but a core part of how conservation decisions are made. A recent study published in the journal Ornithological Applications shows how conservation organizations across North America are using data collected by everyday birdwatchers to fill long-standing information gaps and respond more effectively to declining bird populations.
At the center of this effort is eBird, a global participatory science project run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. eBird allows birdwatchers to submit sightings from anywhere in the world, creating a massive, centralized database of bird observations. Over time, this database has grown into one of the most important sources of bird distribution and abundance data available today.
The new study demonstrates how these data are now being actively used by conservation groups to guide real-world decisions, from identifying priority species to managing habitats and monitoring population trends at regional scales.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research was led by scientists representing nine Migratory Bird Joint Ventures. These Joint Ventures are cooperative, regional partnerships that bring together federal and state agencies, Tribal organizations, and nongovernmental groups. Their shared mission is to support bird conservation through coordinated planning and action.
Rather than focusing on theory, the study presents practical case studies showing how Joint Ventures are already using eBird data products in their day-to-day conservation work. These examples span diverse ecosystems, including coastal regions, grasslands, wetlands, and mountain landscapes.
The researchers relied on eBird Status and Trends data products, which combine billions of birdwatcher observations with advanced statistical models. These products provide estimates of where birds occur, how abundant they are, and how their populations change throughout the year.
Why Birdwatcher Data Matters for Conservation
One of the biggest challenges in bird conservation has always been the lack of comprehensive, up-to-date data. Traditional monitoring programs, such as aerial surveys or structured field studies, are expensive and often limited in scope. They may only occur during certain seasons, cover limited geographic areas, or be conducted infrequently due to funding constraints.
eBird helps address these gaps by offering year-round coverage across vast regions. Because birdwatchers submit observations during breeding seasons, migration periods, and winter months, conservation planners gain access to information that was previously unavailable or extremely difficult to collect.
The study shows that eBird data does not replace traditional surveys but complements them, providing a fuller picture of bird populations and their needs.
Understanding Regional Responsibility for Species
One major application highlighted in the study is determining regional stewardship responsibility. This means identifying which regions support a large share of a species’ population and therefore carry greater responsibility for its conservation.
In the case of coastal bird conservation, the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture used eBird data to analyze population distribution across western North America. The results showed that an astonishing 99 percent of the Marbled Murrelet population occurs year-round within their continental region, which includes Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and northern California.
This finding reinforced the conservation importance of the region for this federally listed species. In addition, the analysis revealed several bird species found in high numbers within the region that had previously received less attention, including the Long-billed Dowitcher and Short-billed Gull.
Supporting Waterfowl Conservation Across Seasons
Waterfowl conservation presents a unique challenge because ducks and other waterfowl use different habitats throughout the year. Managers need to understand not only where birds breed, but also where they migrate and spend the nonbreeding season.
The Gulf Coast Joint Venture used eBird data to help translate a continent-wide waterfowl plan into a more detailed regional strategy. Traditionally, managers relied heavily on aerial surveys conducted by state and federal agencies. However, these surveys are now conducted less frequently and over smaller areas than in the past.
By incorporating eBird data, the Joint Venture was able to generate year-round estimates of duck abundance and distribution. This made it possible to calculate seasonal energetic needs, which are essential for determining how much habitat and food resources waterfowl require at different times of the year.
Identifying Priority Areas Beyond Existing Protected Lands
Another powerful use of eBird data is mapping important bird areas and identifying gaps in current conservation coverage.
The Rio Grande Joint Venture, which covers southern Texas and northern Mexico, focused on three declining grassland species: the Chestnut-collared Longspur, Baird’s Sparrow, and Sprague’s Pipit. Using eBird data products, researchers discovered that while 72 percent of important habitat for these species fell within existing conservation areas, 28 percent occurred outside protected boundaries.
This insight revealed new opportunities for habitat management and collaboration with landowners. It also demonstrated how data-driven maps can support targeted conservation actions where they are most needed.
Detecting Regional Population Trends
Population trends can vary widely within a species’ range, and understanding these patterns is critical for effective conservation planning.
In the Appalachian Mountains, Joint Venture scientists examined trends for the Eastern Whip-poor-will, a species of conservation concern. The analysis showed that populations were increasing within the core of the Appalachian Mountains but declining elsewhere.
This finding highlighted the growing importance of the region as a stronghold for the species and helped inform decisions about where to focus research, monitoring, and conservation resources in a large and largely rural landscape.
The Bigger Challenge of Data Gaps in Conservation
The study also addresses a broader issue facing conservation efforts worldwide: the persistent lack of timely, comprehensive information on wildlife populations. Without reliable data on where species occur, how abundant they are, and how populations change over time, conservation decisions are often based on incomplete evidence.
By integrating participatory science with academic research and conservation planning, organizations now have the tools to close some of these critical gaps. Freely available data products like those from eBird allow conservation groups to coordinate efforts across political boundaries and make stronger, evidence-based cases for conservation action.
What This Means for the Future of Bird Conservation
The findings make it clear that birdwatchers play a much larger role in conservation than many people realize. Every checklist submitted to eBird contributes to a growing body of knowledge that helps guide habitat management, prioritize species protection, and track long-term population changes.
As bird populations continue to decline globally, this collaboration between community scientists, researchers, and conservation practitioners offers a practical and scalable way to respond. The study shows that when data are accessible and thoughtfully applied, they can transform how conservation planning is done.
Research Reference
Leveraging eBird data products to inform regional bird conservation priorities and objectives
Ornithological Applications (2025)
https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duaf074
