# eBird MCP > eBird MCP connects your AI agent directly to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's global eBird database. You can pull real-time bird sightings, map wildlife hotspots by region, and analyze species distribution across continents. This lets you query everything from recent observations near your GPS coordinates to deep taxonomic relationships for scientific research. ## Overview - **Category:** data-analytics - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** birdwatching, ornithology, biodiversity, wildlife, citizen-science ## Description This MCP turns your AI into an ornithologist. You get direct access to the world's largest database of citizen science bird sightings, meaning you can stop spending hours cross-referencing regional wildlife reports and start analyzing patterns immediately. Need to plan a trip? Use coordinates to find nearby hotspots or query recent observations for a specific state. Want to understand what kind of species are related? Pull full taxonomic data directly. When your AI agent connects this MCP through Vinkius, it can process complex queries—like 'Show me all Pine Grosbeaks observed in New York within the last month'—and give you structured data back. It’s about turning raw location points into immediate scientific insight. ## Tools ### get_checklist Pulls the full details for a specific bird observation checklist. ### get_hotspots_in_region Lists known, high-density wildlife hotspots within an entire geographical region. ### get_nearby_hotspots Finds and lists the most promising birding locations close to a specified GPS coordinate. ### get_recent_checklists Retrieves a list of recent observation checklists that were completed in an area. ### get_recent_nearby_observations Fetches the latest bird sightings reported near a specific GPS location. ### get_recent_observations_by_species Finds the latest sighting reports specifically for one species within a target region. ### get_recent_observations Retrieves recent wildlife observations for an entire defined region (country, state, or county). ### get_region_info Retrieves general geographic information about a specified area. ### get_sub_regions Lists and details the smaller administrative divisions, like states within a country. ### get_taxonomic_groups Provides structured data about major groupings of animal species. ### get_taxonomy Accesses the complete, official eBird taxonomy database for all recorded species. ### get_top_100 Retrieves a list of the top 100 most active observers in the global database. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Get recent bird observations for the region US-NY. ``` **Response:** ``` I've retrieved the latest sightings for New York. Notable observations include a Snowy Owl in Central Park and several Pine Grosbeaks in the Adirondacks. Would you like the full list of species? ``` **Prompt:** ``` Find recent sightings of species 'pingro' in region US-NY. ``` **Response:** ``` Searching for Pine Grosbeak (pingro) in New York... I found 3 recent observations. The most recent was at Saratoga Spa State Park on October 24th. Do you want the specific location details? ``` **Prompt:** ``` List birding hotspots in the region US-FL. ``` **Response:** ``` I've identified several top hotspots in Florida, including Everglades National Park (L128523) and Fort De Soto Park (L109156). Which one would you like to explore for recent sightings? ``` ## Capabilities ### Find sightings near a specific area You can get recent observations for any defined region, country, state, or county. ### Track birds seen nearby via GPS The MCP finds species that people have reported seeing close to your provided geographic coordinates. ### Identify optimal birding locations It pinpoints known hotspots or the most promising areas for finding wildlife in a given region. ### Analyze species relationships and classification You can access the full eBird taxonomy, allowing you to understand how different bird groups relate scientifically. ### Review trip reports and checklists The MCP lets you retrieve specific checklist details or lists of recent activity for a given geographical area. ## Use Cases ### Determining a new conservation focus area. A manager needs to know where to send volunteers next month. They ask their agent to use `get_hotspots_in_region` for the state, then cross-reference those results with recent activity using `get_recent_observations`. The AI returns three high-priority areas that need immediate attention. ### Verifying species presence after a storm. A researcher needs to know if rare birds returned. They use the MCP to run `get_recent_observations_by_species` for the target species in the last 72 hours, getting immediate proof of life or confirming their absence. ### Planning a multi-day birding tour. A user asks to find hotspots along a route. The agent uses `get_nearby_hotspots` repeatedly as the GPS coordinates change, building an optimized daily itinerary with high probability of sightings. ### Analyzing historical data for a publication. An academic needs species counts from 2019. They use `get_recent_checklists` to find recent reports and then pull the full details using `get_checklist`, giving them structured data ready for statistical analysis. ## Benefits - Plan trips efficiently. Instead of guessing, use `get_nearby_hotspots` to pinpoint the best viewing locations closest to your travel route. - Focus on species counts. If you're worried about a specific population, running a query with `get_recent_observations_by_species` gives you immediate data for that single type of bird. - Understand regional patterns. You can pull all recent sightings in a large area using `get_recent_observations`, letting your agent build a comprehensive map of activity. - Build scientific reports fast. The MCP lets you retrieve deep taxonomy data via `get_taxonomy` and structure it instantly, avoiding weeks of manual database lookups. - Manage project data. Need to track the progress of an old study? Use `get_checklist` or `get_recent_checklists` to pull up specific trip reports and species counts from past dates. ## How It Works The bottom line is that you talk naturally to your AI client, and it handles all the complicated data retrieval steps with this MCP. 1. Subscribe to this MCP on Vinkius and provide your eBird API Token. 2. Your AI client sends a natural language request (e.g., 'What birds were seen in Florida last week?'). 3. The MCP translates the query, fetches structured data from the eBird database, and returns actionable results to your agent. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I use the get_recent_observations tool with eBird?** You provide a defined region (country, state, or county) to `get_recent_observations`. The MCP then fetches all observations from that area within its record window. **Can I find nearby bird sightings using get_recent_nearby_observations?** Yes. Simply provide your current GPS coordinates, and the `get_recent_nearby_observations` tool will pull the latest reports from that specific location. **What is the difference between get_hotspots_in_region and get_nearby_hotspots?** Use `get_hotspots_in_region` to find known areas in a large region. Use `get_nearby_hotspots` when you have specific coordinates and want to know what's promising right where you are. **Does get_taxonomy include current regional data?** No, `get_taxonomy` provides the fixed scientific classification system. For actual sightings, you need tools like `get_recent_observations` which pull live or recent records. **What kind of API token is needed to run get_recent_checklists?** You need a valid eBird API Token. This key authorizes your agent and gives it access to the observation data streams from Cornell Lab. You must input this token when you connect your AI client. **How do I find all valid sub-regions before running a query with get_recent_observations?** Use the get_sub_regions tool first. It lists specific states or counties within a larger parent country code. This step ensures your location parameters are accurate for any subsequent search. **Does get_taxonomic_groups provide the full relationship between species found in the eBird taxonomy?** Yes, it maps out the entire classification hierarchy—from kingdom down to genus. This allows you to understand how different species relate taxonomically before searching for specific observations. **If I get too many results from get_nearby_hotspots, is there a way to limit the output?** The tool generally handles result pagination automatically. If you need strict limits or filtering by distance, check the API documentation for parameters that allow setting maximum counts. **How do I find recent sightings of a specific bird species in my area?** Use the `get_recent_observations_by_species` tool. Provide the `regionCode` (e.g., 'US-NY') and the `speciesCode` (e.g., 'pingro' for Pine Grosbeak) to see the latest reports. **Can I find birding locations near my current GPS coordinates?** Yes, use `get_recent_nearby_observations` with your latitude and longitude. You can also use `get_nearby_hotspots` to find established birding locations within a specific radius. **How do I get information about a specific region's birding activity?** Use `get_region_info` for general data or `get_recent_checklists` to see the most recent trip reports submitted by birders in that region.