Missouri Birding Challenge Rules

Participation

1. Individuals or teams will register at https://mochf.org/missouri-birding-challenge/. Registration requires the number of participants on a team, participant names, and participant emails (if 16 years or older). Registration fees will go into a dedicated Missouri Birding Challenge account at the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. Fees will be used for the Missouri Motus Project that tracks our migratory birds to inform conservation efforts.
2. The Challenge has five categories (described in Challenge Categories below). The categories are Nestling, Fledgling, Backyard Birder, Dabbler, and Competitive Coot. Each participant can register for a maximum of 2 categories, on the same team or different teams. If a participant registers for 2 categories, registration fees must be paid for both. Participants cannot participate on 2 different teams in the same category.
3. Teams must register to compete in the Missouri Birding Challenge. Before registering, teams must read the rules, and select a team name and the category or categories that the team is competing in. Registration is open from April 1, 2025, through April 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CDT.
4. Each participant in the Backyard, Dabbler, and Competitive Coot categories will receive a T-shirt and sticker with registration; Nestling and Fledgling participants will receive a sticker. T-shirts and stickers will be sent to registrants by early June.
5. The Challenge Registration Form includes two options based on the registration fee. If registering for Nestling or Fledgling categories, only the mentor needs to register. For all other categories, select the quantity of team members and scroll down to enter individual participant information. Each team must include at least one adult (16 years or older). The number of participants allowed on a team depends on the category (see Challenge Categories below for details).
6. Only checklists submitted through eBird will be accepted for the Challenge; therefore, at least one member of a team must have an eBird account. If you do not have an eBird account, create one at https://ebird.org/home via the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Creating an account is free and will allow you to log into eBird.org.
7. All team members must bird together and remain within direct voice contact (i.e., shouting distance) at all times while competing for birds to be counted for the team. Your team can also bird with other teams.
8. 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 by June 1, 2025, if they are drawn for a prize.
9. 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 eBird Trip Reports, teams are required to note which webinar(s) team members attended or watched in the trip comments.
10. All participants must read and follow the American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics.

eBird Checklists

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.
2. The Birding Challenge ends at 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 15, 2025. Deadline to submit all final eBird checklists to eBird for the challenge is 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 18, 2025.
3. Only one person may create an eBird checklist at any given time or location. That person will share checklists with teammates and the corresponding category account by using the “Share w/Others in Your Party” button on the Checklist page of eBird (see eBird step-by-step instructions).
4. Include your team name and names of team members (if applicable) in the “Comments” section of each eBird checklists.
5. After your team submits its last competition checklist, one person from each team must create an eBird Trip Report and email it to MissouriBirdingChallenge@mdc.mo.gov  by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 18, 2025, to be considered for a prize drawing. In the narrative section of the Trip Report, in the Trip Report Narrative, write the team name, the names of everyone on the team, and the name of the bird webinar that was attended.

Bird Identification

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 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.
4. If team adds a species to their checklist that eBird flags as Rare, they will need to provide additional 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 18, 2025.
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. 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.
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.

Nestling and Fledgling Categories

(Minimum of 2 participants on a team, including one mentor) - These categories are for youth or youth groups (Nestling: grades K-6, Fledgling: grades 7-12), 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, team quantity option is 1 because of the one team fee. Enter participant details for the mentor only.

Between May 1-15, team must:

1. Observe at least 10 different bird species included on a minimum of 3 eBird checklists.
2. The team mentor is responsible for recording the birds observed in eBird.
3. Submit a minimum of 3 eBird checklists from any location in Missouri. Write the team name in the comments section of each checklist. Share checklists with the “MOBirdingChallenge-Nestling” or “MOBirdingChallenge-Fledgling” eBird account that match your category. See instructions on how to share an eBird checklist.

After a team submits its last Challenge checklist, the team mentor will compile an eBird Trip Report that includes:

1. All of the team’s Challenge checklists.
2. In the Trip Report Narrative, include the team name, the names of everyone on the team, and the name of the Challenge webinar that was watched or attended.
3. Email the link to the trip report to MissouriBirdingChallenge@mdc.mo.gov with the email subject: “Nestling Trip Report - [Your Team Name]” or “Fledgling Trip Report - [Your Team Name]”  
4. Trip reports are due by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 18, 2025.

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

Backyard Birder Category

(Team of at least one person) This category is for a single household and is meant to encourage birding in the participants’ own backyard. Cost: $25 per participant. Challenge Registration Form for participants in this category is capped at 5, but the entire household is welcome to participate if it exceeds 5 members. Select the quantity of team members and scroll down to enter individual participant information. Enter the same team name for each participant.

Between May 1-15, team must:

1. Observe at least 10 different species from home (same Missouri address/location for all eBird checklists).
2. Submit a minimum of 5 eBird checklists from home (same Missouri address/location for all eBird checklists). Write the team name in the comments section of each checklist. Share checklists with the “MOBirdingChallenge-Backyard” account. See instructions on how to share an eBird checklist.

After the team submits its last Challenge checklist, one person from each team will compile an eBird Trip Report that includes:

1. All of the team’s Challenge checklists.
2. In the Trip Report Narrative, include the team name, the names of everyone on the team, and the name of the Challenge webinar that was watched or attended.
3. Email the link to the trip report to MissouriBirdingChallenge@mdc.mo.gov with the email subject: “Backyard Birder Trip Report – [Your Team Name]” 
4. Trip reports are due by 11:59 p.m. on May 18, 2024.

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

Dabbler Category

(Team of 1-5) This category is for beginner or intermediate birders. Cost: $25 per participant. On the Challenge Registration Form, select quantity of team members and scroll down to enter participant info. Enter the same team name for each participant.

Between May 1-15, team must:

1. 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 members of the team need to hear/see a bird to be counted.
2. Submit a minimum of 5 eBird checklists from any location in Missouri with at least one location included on the Missouri Birding Trail. Write the team name in the comments section of each checklist. Share eBird checklists with the “MOBirdingChallenge-Dabbler” account. See instructions on how to share an eBird checklist.

After the team submits its last Challenge checklist, one person from each team will compile an eBird Trip Report that includes:

1. All of the team’s Challenge checklists.
2. In the Trip Report Narrative, include the team name, the names of everyone on the team, and the name of the Challenge webinar that was watched or attended.
3. Email the link to the trip report to MissouriBirdingChallenge@mdc.mo.gov with the email subject: “Dabbler Trip Report – [Your Team Name]”
4. Trip reports are due by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 18, 2025.

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).

Competitive Coot Category

(Team of 1-5) Cost: $25 per participant. This category is for advanced birders and has 2 subcategories for prizes, and a Bonus prize (see Prizes for details). On the Challenge Registration Form, select quantity of team members and scroll down to enter participant info. Enter the same team name for each participant.

• Subcategory 1: Must record 50-149 bird species
• Subcategory 2: Must record 150 or more bird species
• Bonus prize: Most species recorded

Between May 1-15, team must

1. Observe at least 50 different bird species. Not all members of the team need to hear/see 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, additional documentation in the form of either photos or sound recordings is required. Written descriptions alone will not be acceptable for Rare birds reported in this category.
3. Submit at least 5 eBird checklists from any location in Missouri including at least 3 different locations on the Missouri Birding Trail. Write the team name in the comments section of each checklist. Share eBird checklists with the “MOBirdingChallenge-Competitive” account (Please note that this account does not have “Coot” in the name). See instructions on how to share an eBird checklist.

After your team submits their last Challenge checklist, one person from each team will compile an eBird Trip Report that includes:

1. All of the team’s Challenge checklists.
2. In the Trip Report Narrative, write the team name, the names of everyone on the team, and the name of the bird webinar that was watched or attended.
3. Email the link to the trip report to MissouriBirdingChallenge@mdc.mo.gov with the email subject: “Competitive Coot Trip Report - [Your Team Name]”
4. Trip reports are due by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 18, 2025.

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

Most Creative Team Name

One winning team will be chosen for Most Creative Team Name. Eligible teams must complete the requirements for at least one category. Team name must be original. Winners of other categories are also eligible to win Most Creative Team Name. The winning team is chosen by the Missouri Birding Challenge organizers.