eBird by Cornell Lab

Field notes for birders

eBird by Cornell Lab is a bird-observation reference and logging app for people who want to record sightings while they are outdoors. It lets you build checklists for local observations, keep track of life, year, and month lists, and connect those records with an eBird account. It suits casual birdwatchers who want an organized record as well as experienced birders contributing observations for research and conservation.

Useful identification and location context

The app uses location and time of year to shape checklists around the birds you are most likely to encounter. It can also flag sightings that appear unusual for an area, helping users pause and verify an unexpected entry. Maps identify eBird hotspots, while GPS tools can help record where observations were made. Offline support makes the reference and recording tools practical in places with weak or no internet access.

Built for a global bird list

Its species coverage follows the Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. Common names are available in multiple languages and can reflect regional naming, which is useful for birders working across countries or comparing records from different regions. Quick-entry tools are aimed at reducing the amount of typing needed during a field session.

At a glance

• Developer: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Category: Books & Reference
• Installs: 1,000,000+
• Rated: 3.97 out of 5 from 3,826 ratings

That score places eBird by Cornell Lab near four stars, with a substantial rating sample behind it. The app’s strongest fit is for users who want observation records, regional species context, and a structured way to contribute sightings rather than a simple bird encyclopedia.