Missouri Birding Challenge Rules

• Registration was lowered to $15 per person and will not include a T-shirt. T-shirts may be ordered separately. The youth category remains at $10 per team.
• A Big Day category challenges birders to see as many species as they can on World Migratory Bird Day, which is May 9, 2026.
• Each participant may register for up to three categories but may only participate on one team per category. Details in the full rules below.
• There is only one youth birding category: Fledgling (grades K-12 and a mentor 16-plus years old).
• Participants do not have to share every individual eBird checklist with the eBird account for their respective challenge category. Rather, each team must submit a Trip Report after the challenge that includes all your team’s checklists for each category you registered for.

1. Individuals or teams must register at https://mochf.org/missouri-birding-challenge/. This link will be live when registration is open.

   Registration requires entering the number of participants on a team, their names, and their email addresses (if 16-plus years old).

   Before registering, teams need to read the rules, select a team name, and choose the category or categories they will compete in.

   Registration is open from April 1, 2026, to April 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CDT.

   Registration fees will go into a dedicated Missouri Birding Challenge account at the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation for a bird conservation project or effort determined by the Missouri Birding Challenge Committee.

2. The challenge has five categories (described in Challenge Categories below): Fledgling, Backyard Birder, Dabbler, Competitive Coot, and Big Day. Participants may enter up to three challenge categories but cannot be on more than one team in the same category. Participants can, however, be on different teams in separate categories. For example, you can register for the same team or different teams in Dabbler, Competitive Coots, and Big Day categories, but you cannot be on two different teams in the Dabbler category. If you register for more than one category, you must pay registration fees for each one.
3. New for 2026: We have lowered the cost of registration to $15, and registration will no longer include a T-shirt. T-shirts may be ordered separately.
4. The challenge registration form includes two options for registration fee. If registering for the Fledgling youth category, only the mentor needs to register and pay the team fee. For all other categories, select the quantity of team members, then scroll down to enter individual participant information. Each team must include at least one member 16-plus years old. The number of participants allowed on a team depends on the category (see Challenge Categories below for details).
5. Checklists must be submitted through eBird. Therefore, at least one member of a team must have an eBird account. You can create a free account at https://ebird.org/home via the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
6. All team members must bird together and always remain within direct voice contact (shouting distance) while competing for birds to be counted for the team. Your team can also bird with other teams.
7. If a team completes their challenge category requirements, they are entered into a drawing for a prize (see Challenge Categories and Prizes below for details). Participants will be contacted by email on or before June 8, 2026, if their team has been selected for a prize.
8. All participants are required to attend one of the webinars in the Missouri Birding Challenge webinar series or watch a recording of a past webinar at the same link. When submitting the team’s eBird Trip Report(s), teams must note which webinar(s) they attended or watched in the Trip Report narrative.
9. All participants must read and follow the American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics.

1. For general eBird step-by-step instructions, see the tutorial section on the eBird website or our own Missouri Birding Challenge step-by-step instructions PDF or how-to video.
2. The challenge ends at 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 22, 2026. The deadline to submit all final eBird checklists to eBird for the challenge is 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25, 2026.
3. Only one person may create an eBird checklist at any given time or location. That person must then share checklists with their teammates by using the “Share w/Others in Your Party” button on the Checklist page of eBird (see eBird step-by-step instructions PDF or how-to video).
4. New to 2026: You will not share every eBird checklist with the eBird account for each challenge category. Instead, you must create one Trip Report after the challenge that includes all your team’s checklists. If you participate on two or more challenge teams, separate Trip Reports must be submitted for each team.

After your team submits its last competition checklist, one person from each team must:

• Share your team’s Trip Report with the appropriate challenge eBird username.
• The Trip Report narrative must include your team name, the names of team members, and the name of the MDC birding challenge webinar attended.
• Email the Trip Report link to MissouriBirdingChallenge@mdc.mo.gov with the email subject “[Category] Trip Report - [Your Team Name]” by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25, 2026, to be considered for a prize drawing.

If you do not include these details, your team will not be eligible for the Big Day drawing or recognition. See the eBird step-by-step instructions PDF or how-to video for more details.

1. Teams may only add birds to their eBird checklists that they can positively identify by sight or sound. Teams should not include birds on their lists that they cannot positively ID. If the team cannot ID to species, eBird allows you to record the bird type (e.g., shorebird sp., new world sparrow sp.).
2. The Merlin Bird ID app’s Sound ID is a helpful tool for suggesting what birds are present based on the best matches for a sound it processes. However, these are only suggestions. Teams must not populate eBird lists based on Merlin’s Sound ID alone and must only include birds they are able to independently verify by sight or sound on their eBird checklists.
3. It can be helpful to take photos or sound recordings of unknown birds that a team observes. Then, the team members can refer to them as they look through field guides and other resources to accurately identify the species. Teams are encouraged to include photos and audio on their challenge checklists.
4. If a team adds a species to their checklist that eBird flags as rare, they will need to provide documentation in the form of photos, sound recordings, or a written description by using the “Add Details” button. This additional documentation must be added to your eBird checklist by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25, 2026.
5. If a bird is flagged by eBird as rare, teams may get an email from a dedicated eBird volunteer asking for additional information. This is part of the normal eBird review protocol for rare birds; please do not be offended if an eBird reviewer reaches out to you. Including photos, sound recordings, and/or detailed notes about your observation of the rare species in your eBird checklist will greatly help the review process. A rare bird sighting needs to be accepted into eBird by a reviewer to be counted for the challenge.
6. The Missouri Birding Challenge organizers reserve the right to evaluate the integrity of a team’s eBird checklists and may request more information to support any observation.

Minimum of two participants, including one mentor

This category is for youth or youth groups (grades K-12), such as classrooms, afterschool programs, clubs, scouts, and families. Teams consist of one or more youth members and at least one mentor 16 years of age or older.

Cost: $10 per team

On the challenge registration form, choose team quantity option of 1 (because Fledgling teams pay a team fee rather than a per-member fee). Enter participant details for the mentor only.

Between May 1 and 22:

1. The team must observe at least 10 different bird species included on a minimum of three eBird checklists.
2. The team mentor is responsible for recording the birds observed in eBird.
3. The team must submit a minimum of three eBird checklists from any location in Missouri.
4. New to 2026: The team will not share every eBird checklist with the eBird account for each challenge category. Instead, you must create one Trip Report after the challenge that includes all your team’s checklists. If you participate on two or more challenge teams, separate Trip Reports must be submitted for each team.

By 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25:

After your team submits its last competition checklist, one person from each team must:

• Share your team’s Trip Report including the appropriate challenge eBird username “MOBirdingChallenge-Fledgling.” The Trip Report narrative must include your team name, the names of team members, and the name of the MDC bird webinar attended.
• Email the Trip Report link to MissouriBirdingChallenge@mdc.mo.gov with the email subject “Fledgling Trip Report — [Your Team Name]” by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25, 2026, to be considered for a prize drawing.

If you do not include these details, your team will not be eligible for the drawing or recognition. See the step-by-step eBird Help document and video for more details.

Scoring

Each team that completes the Fledgling Category requirements will be entered into a drawing for one beginner birding kit or one bird-feeding kit (see Prizes section below for details).

Team of at least one person

This category is for a single household and is meant to encourage birding in the participant’s own backyard.

Cost: $15 per participant

On the challenge registration form, the number of participants in this category is capped at five, but the entire household is welcome to participate even if it exceeds five members. Select the quantity of team members, then scroll down to enter individual participant information. Enter the same team name for each participant.

Between May 1 and 22:

1. The team must observe at least 15 different species from home (same Missouri address/location for all eBird checklists).
2. The team must submit a minimum of five eBird checklists from home (same Missouri address/location for all eBird checklists).
3. New to 2026: You will not share every eBird checklist with the eBird account for each challenge category. Instead, you must create one Trip Report after the challenge that includes all your team’s checklists. If you participate on two or more challenge teams, separate Trip Reports must be submitted for each team.

By 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25:

After your team submits its last competition checklist, one person from each team must:

• Share your team’s Trip Report including the appropriate challenge eBird username “MOBirdingChallenge — Backyard.” The Trip Report narrative must include your team name, the names of team members, and the name of the MDC bird webinar attended.
• Email the Trip Report link to MissouriBirdingChallenge@mdc.mo.gov with the email subject “Backyard Trip Report — [Your Team Name]” by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25, 2026, to be considered for a prize drawing.

If you do not include these details, your team will not be eligible for the drawing or recognition. See the step-by-step eBird Help document and video for more details.

Scoring

Each team that completes the Backyard Birder Category requirements is entered into a drawing for one team prize (see Prizes section below).

Team of 1 to 5

This category is for beginner or intermediate birders.

Cost: $15 per participant

On the challenge registration form, select the quantity of team members, then scroll down to enter individual participant information. Enter the same team name for each participant.

Between May 1 and 22:

1. The team must observe at least 20 different bird species. All team members must be birding together for a bird to be included on an eBird checklist. Not all team members need to see or hear a bird to be counted.
2. The team must submit a minimum of five eBird checklists from any location in Missouri with at least one location included on the Missouri Birding Trail.
3. New to 2026: The team will not share every eBird checklist with the eBird account for each challenge category. Instead, you must create one Trip Report after the challenge that includes all your team’s checklists. If you participate on two or more challenge teams, separate Trip Reports must be submitted for each team.

By 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25:

After your team submits its last competition checklist, one person from each team must:

• Share your team’s Trip Report with the appropriate challenge eBird username “MOBirdingChallenge — Dabbler." The Trip Report narrative must include your team name, the names of team members, and the name of the MDC bird webinar attended.
• Email the Trip Report link to MissouriBirdingChallenge@mdc.mo.gov with the email subject “Dabbler Trip Report — [Your Team Name]” by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25, 2026, to be considered for a prize drawing.

If you do not include these details, your team will not be eligible for the drawing or recognition. See the step-by-step eBird Help document and video for more details.

Scoring

Each team that completes the Dabbler Category requirements is entered into a drawing for prizes; if selected, each team member gets a prize (see Prizes section below).

Team of 1 to 5

This category is for advanced birders and has  two subcategories for prizes and bonus recognition for most species recorded (see Prizes for details). 

Cost: $15 per participant

On the challenge registration form, select the quantity of team members, then scroll down to enter individual participant information. Enter the same team name for each participant.

• Subcategory 1: Must record 50 to 149 bird species
• Subcategory 2: Must record 150 or more bird species
• Bonus recognition: The registered team that records the most species accepted in eBird gets special recognition.

Between May 1 and 22:

1. The team must observe at least 50 different bird species. Not all team members need to see or hear a bird to be counted, but all team members must be birding together (within shouting distance) for a bird to count.
2. If a species is flagged by eBird as rare, the team must add additional documentation in the form of either photos or sound recordings. Written descriptions alone will not be acceptable for rare birds reported in this category. A rare bird sighting must be accepted by a reviewer in eBird to count for the challenge.
3. The team must submit at least five eBird checklists from any location in Missouri including at least three different locations on the Missouri Birding Trail.
4. New to 2026: The team will not share every eBird checklist with the eBird account for each challenge category. Instead, you must create one Trip Report after the challenge that includes all your team’s checklists. If you participate on two or more challenge teams, separate Trip Reports must be submitted for each team.

By 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25:

After your team submits its last competition checklist, one person from each team must:

• Share your team’s Trip Report with the appropriate challenge eBird username “MOBirdingChallenge — Competitive.” The Trip Report narrative must include your team name, the names of team members, and the name of the MDC bird webinar attended.
• Email the Trip Report link to MissouriBirdingChallenge@mdc.mo.gov with the email subject “Competitive Trip Report - [Your Team Name]” by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25, 2026, to be considered for a prize drawing.

If you do not include these details, your team will not be eligible for the drawing or recognition. See the step-by-step eBird Help document and video for more details.

Scoring

Each team that completes the Competitive Coot Category requirements is entered into a drawing for one of the two subcategories; the winning team chooses their one team prize (see Prizes section below).

Bonus recognition

The team with the most species accepted in eBird gets special recognition and bragging rights and is also eligible to be drawn for their subcategory prize.

Team of 1 to 5

This category challenges an individual or team to record as many different species as they can in the 24 hours of May 9, 2026, which celebrates the global birding event World Migratory Bird Day. The registered team that records the most species accepted in eBird will receive special recognition and bragging rights in this category (see Prizes for details).

Cost: $15 per participant

On the challenge registration form, select the quantity of team members, then scroll down to enter individual participant information. Enter the same team name for each participant.

In the 24 hours of May 9 only:

1. The team must observe as many different species as they can. Not all members of the team need to hear or see a bird to be counted, but all team members must be birding together (within shouting distance) for a bird to count.
2. The team must submit at least three eBird checklists from any location in Missouri.
3. Species recorded on the Big Day (May 9) may also count toward other challenge categories. Teams registered for Big Day and another category must submit separate Trip Reports for each category, but Big Day eBird checklists may be included in the Trip Report for other categories.
4. If a species is flagged by eBird as rare, the team must add additional documentation in the form of either photos or sound recordings. Written descriptions alone will not be acceptable for rare birds reported in this category. A rare bird sighting must be accepted by a reviewer in eBird to count for the challenge.
5. New to 2026: The team will not share every eBird checklist with the eBird account for each challenge category. Instead, you must create one Trip Report after the challenge that includes all your team’s checklists. If you participate on two or more challenge teams, separate Trip Reports must be submitted for each team.

By 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25:

After your team submits its last competition checklist for May 9, one person from each team must:

• Share your team’s Trip Report with the appropriate challenge eBird username “MOBirdingChallenge — BigDay." The Trip Report narrative must include your team name, the names of team members, and the name of the MDC bird webinar attended.
• Email the Trip Report link to MissouriBirdingChallenge@mdc.mo.gov with the email subject “Big Day Trip Report — [Your Team Name]” by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 25, 2026, to be considered for a prize drawing.

If you do not include these details, your team will not be eligible for the drawing or recognition. See the step-by-step eBird Help document and video for more details.

Scoring

Each team that completes the Big Day category requirements is entered into a drawing; the winning team chooses their one team prize (see Prizes section below).

Bonus recognition

The team with the most species accepted in eBird gets special recognition and bragging rights and is also eligible to be drawn for their category prize.