Quick Start Guide

Download the free eBird app for quick and accurate data collection in the field.
If most of your birding is in Pennsylvania, we suggest switching to the Pennsylvania Bird Atlas portal for the duration of the project (until end of February 2029). It is easy to change portals when submitting a checklist in the app for times when you do not want the data to go into the atlas—such as if you venture out of state or are not following Atlas protocols.
If you are using the web version of eBird instead, submit data to the Atlas portal at: https://ebird.org/atlaspa/submit.

The state is divided into 4,938 3×3 mile blocks. Make sure that your checklists do not cross block boundaries. If your checklist is a traveling checklist, start a new checklist at the boundary.
A Principal Atlaser will be assigned to blocks to help ensure that block coverage goals are met. You do not have to sign up as a Principal Atlaser to participate. See the Atlas Map Tool for block maps and to sign up as a Principal Atlaser.

Checklists should be no more than 1 mile and 1 hour whenever possible. This provides much more accurate information on the location of birds. Be very careful when using eBird hotspots, as many are close to block boundaries. Personal locations at the exact location of your checklist are preferred.

Report and count (or estimate) all species you were able to identify by sight or sound. Incidental checklists are valuable too, if you see something interesting at a time when you can’t submit a complete checklist.

Use breeding codes for breeding birds! Watching bird behavior is fun and rewarding. Slowing down to observe and document breeding behavior provides a much richer data set for conservation and management of populations. Take time to learn the meaning of each code.

Add comments to your checklists to help data reviewers interpret sightings and behaviors encountered. Audio recordings and photos are always welcome, especially to help confirm species that are flagged rare. Comments are especially welcome for Priority Species.

Keep disturbance to nesting birds to a minimum and respect people and property at all times. Please read the atlas Code of Ethics. Do not rely on Merlin for species identification – always verify Merlin’s suggestions for yourself.

Atlasing is a lot of fun, whether you are birding in your backyard or exploring the state! Enjoy yourself, support other birders, and know that you are contributing to bird conservation in Pennsylvania.