How to Use the eBird MCP in Windsurf

Bring global birding data into your Windsurf workspace. Query sightings and hotspots directly through the Cascade agent.

See Vinkius in Action

Works with every AI agent you already use

…and any MCP-compatible client

MCP Servers - Free for Subscribers

Connect eBird MCP to Windsurf

Create your Vinkius account to connect eBird to Windsurf and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

GDPR Free for Subscribers

Setup eBird with Windsurf

Ask AI about this MCP

ChatGPT

Claude

Perplexity

Autonomous birding data retrieval

Cascade reads your requirements and triggers the right tool to pull data. Whether you need a list of sightings or recent reports, the agent handles the sequence without you typing every step. Use `get_recent_nearby_observations` to pull live data into your current file. Cascade parses the response, letting you focus on the code rather than manual data entry.

Map hotspots with Windsurf

Find exact locations for field research using `get_nearby_hotspots`. The MCP Server feeds coordinates directly into your environment for quick analysis. This workflow lets you build location-aware applications. Cascade maps the output from `get_hotspots_in_region` to your UI components automatically.

Taxonomic lookup at your fingertips

Access the full eBird taxonomy without leaving your IDE. `get_taxonomy` provides the scientific and common names you need for your data models. Query `get_taxonomic_groups` to categorize your observations. Windsurf keeps these definitions synced, ensuring your project remains consistent.

Setup guide

Set up eBird MCP in Windsurf

Prerequisites

Windsurf IDE installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP configuration

Click the Cascade assistant icon in the sidebar, then click the hammer icon (🔨) at the top of the panel. Select "Configure" to open ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
2

Add the eBird MCP

Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Refresh MCPs

Go back to the hammer icon (🔨) in Cascade and click "Refresh". Windsurf will detect the new server. No full restart is needed — the connection is hot-reloaded.
4

Verify in Cascade

Start a new Cascade conversation and ask something like "Show my eBird payment history." If connected, Cascade will call the eBird tools directly. You will see a green dot next to the server name in the MCP panel.

mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ebird-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by eBird. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

Why Choose Vinkius

Vinkius connects your tools to AI with real-time monitoring and automatic cost savings — all from one dashboard.

Connect eBird now

Real-time monitoring

Live

visibility into every interaction

Connect your favorite tools to your AI and see exactly what's happening — every request, every response, in real time.

Built-in savings

60%

lower AI costs

Vinkius compresses data between your apps and your AI automatically. Lower bills every month — no configuration required.

Single dashboard

One

place for every integration

Every tool your AI connects to, managed from a single screen. One account, complete control.

Common questions about eBird MCP in Windsurf

Yes. You can use the tools to fetch live sightings and pipe them into your frontend components. It works by connecting the server to the Cascade agent.

Open the Cascade settings panel and navigate to the MCP section. You can add the server configuration directly there or use the built-in marketplace for a faster install.

It does. You can ask Cascade to find hotspots near specific coordinates. The agent executes the request and returns the list of locations ready for your code.

The server fetches live data from the database. You get the most current sightings available at the time of your query.

Your API key and query history stay within your local environment. The server only transmits the specific data points requested during your session to fetch birding records.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.

OpenAI Agents SDK sdk-python

Google ADK sdk-python

Pydantic AI sdk-python

Vercel AI SDK sdk-typescript