Endemic Bird Day

The 10th edition of Endemic Bird Day will be celebrated on Saturday, 11 May 2024! It is a day to document the endemic or near-endemic birds of our subcontinent. Take a look at the excel list of all the 235 endemics of South Asia.

This day also coincides with the Global Big Day, in which birdwatchers all over the world document as many species as they can in a period of 24 hours. By participating in our Endemic Bird Day, your checklists uploaded on eBird get added to the Global Big Day too!

On this same day is the Himalayan Bird Count– a citizen-science initiative to document the bird diversity of the Himalayan regions of India, Bhutan and Nepal.

How to participate?

• Watch and count birds from anywhere in India on 11 May 2024
• Upload your checklists through the eBird Mobile App
• Ensure that each list is of at least 15 minutes duration
• In fact, if possible, try to make lists that are exactly 15 minutes so that there is easy comparability between years.
• Endemic Bird Day runs from midnight to midnight, so you can make multiple checklists during the day and a few lists at dawn, dusk, and night!
• All lists should be complete checklists with counts of all birds that you could identify by sight and/or sound to the best of your ability

Monitoring breeding (IMPORTANT)

Report Breeding Codes on eBird! This is an important step to help fulfil one of the objectives of the counts: to monitor breeding activity over time! The more checklists with breeding codes, the better our understanding of the incidence of each breeding behaviour.

Whenever you see birds showing any signs of breeding, select the appropriate breeding behaviour code. To do this in the eBird App, tap the species name, tap on ‘Add breeding code‘, and select the appropriate purple circle that is closest to your observation (see the example below).

Please note that F (Flyover) and H (Appropriate Habitat) are not breeding codes. Avoid the use of H completely. Please keep in mind that not every observation necessitates a breeding code!

At this time of year, many species are in the midst of breeding activities. Please, therefore, be extra cautious to minimise any disturbance. Do, however, note any breeding evidence in eBird.

Watch this webinar to better understand how to use breeding codes.

General Instructions

Visit multiple habitats from the various different regions in the state. Avoid using ‘X’ in your checklists and attempt to arrive at a number each time. Multiple checklists from the same site are also encouraged.

May can be very hot in many parts of the country, so plan your day according to your comfort and convenience.

Participating in a birding event can be fun and, at times, competitive in a friendly way. However, please include sufficient rest and sleep in your schedules. Encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same.

Please upload all your lists by 31 May 2024

Downloadable Posters for social media here

For further queries, email: [email protected]

Join hundreds of birders from all over the country on Endemic Bird Day! How many endemic species can we collectively find?

Endemic Bird Day 2022 Results
Endemic Bird Day 2016 Results
Endemic Bird Day 2015 Results

About Endemic Birds

Endemic Birds of India by Rohan Chakravarty

Endemic birds are those whose distribution is restricted to a defined area. For Endemic Bird Day we consider the region of South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka). There are probably more species endemic (or near-endemic) to South Asia than you think!

Endemic species are truly our very own; let’s get together and document them, from common and widespread endemics like Grey Francolin to rare and isolated species like Wayanad Laughingthrush. The lists gathered during Endemic Bird Day each year will give an annual snapshot of the distribution and breeding of these endemic species, and will in the long-term provide a valuable overall resource. In addition, any endemic birds we record contribute to the overall Global Big Day, where we will joining tens of thousands of birders worldwide in documenting all our sightings.

Banner Image: Illustration of Endemic Birds of India by Rohan Chakravarty