Avibase: The Comprehensive Global Bird Database

Avibase is a vast online database that organizes worldwide taxonomic and distribution data for birds. Created and maintained by Denis Lepage, Senior Director of Data Science and Technology at Birds Canada, it serves as a central repository for bird taxonomic information and regional checklists. Hosted by Birds Canada, the platform has become an essential tool for bird enthusiasts, researchers, and conservationists across the globe.

What Makes This Platform Unique?

Unlike many traditional bird databases, this platform goes beyond listing taxonomic names. It operates on a foundation of “taxonomic concepts,” a methodology allowing a more dynamic and accurate representation of bird species and subspecies. This approach involves mapping data from a wide range of authoritative taxonomic sources, such as Clements’ checklist, the IOC Checklist, HBW/BirdLife, and Howard and Moore, along with various regional sources like the American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) checklists dating back to 1886. Over 230 taxonomic references have been cross-referenced to create an all-encompassing global bird taxonomy.

Denis Lepage and others thoroughly explained the innovative concept of using taxonomic ideas rather than names in a ZooKeys paper in 2014. The platform offers checklists for more than 20,000 geographic regions and detailed information on bird species, their synonyms, and other relevant taxonomic data. This extensive database provides bird enthusiasts, researchers, and conservationists a powerful tool for exploring bird diversity worldwide.

A Brief History of the Platform

The journey of this comprehensive bird database began in 1991 when it was first conceptualized as a project for tracking global bird names and regional lists. 1993, the foundation for its taxonomic concepts was established based on a list published by the Commission Internationale des noms français des Oiseaux. The project continued to evolve, and in 2003, it was officially launched as a public website, making its vast data collection accessible to a global audience.

Over the years, several features were added to enhance user experience and expand the platform’s offerings:

• 2007: Integration of thumbnail images from Flickr to create visually appealing, illustrated bird checklists, enriching the user experience.
• 2008: Addition of links to Xeno-Canto, allowing users to listen to bird songs directly from the platform, further deepening the interactive aspect of bird watching.
• 2012: Creation of a dedicated Flickr group to gather more bird images and engage a wider community of bird photographers.
• 2013: Launch of “MyAvibase,” enabling users to create personalized accounts, track their life lists, and generate detailed reports on target species and regions, offering bird watchers a more customized experience.
• 2014: Publication of a ZooKeys paper that provided a deep dive into the methodology and structure of the database, solidifying its credibility and scientific foundation.

What Data Is Available?

The platform serves multiple purposes, offering an extensive range of data types essential for casual birdwatchers and professional ornithologists. Here are some of the critical data types available:

1. Taxonomic Data:
   • The database includes over 59,966 unique taxonomic concepts, each assigned an ID for easy reference and cross-comparison.
   • It integrates data from 27 taxonomic concept authorities and 268 versions, ensuring a comprehensive view of bird taxonomy.
   • It covers 2,271,902 species and 1,767,893 subspecies concepts, offering an exhaustive look at avian diversity.
2. Nomenclature Data:
   • It contains 87,536 scientific names and 39,901 basionyms (the original names under which species were first described), providing a historical perspective on bird taxonomy.
3. Distribution Data:
   • Offers 81,895 regional checklists and 32,660,033 distribution records, providing detailed information on where species are found.
   • References from 3,636 published sources ensure the highest accuracy and reliability for bird distribution data.
4. Common Names and Multimedia:
   • The platform includes 1,472,951 synonyms for bird names in nearly 200 languages, promoting global accessibility.
   • It features over 2.8 million bird song recordings and 2.7 million bird photos indexed by various contributors, making it one of the most comprehensive multimedia bird databases available.
5. User Engagement and Contributions:
   • The platform has a strong community of 9,842 active users, 914 data contributors, and 1,896 photo contributors, all of whom help maintain and enrich the database.

How the Platform Collects and Updates Its Data

Data collection and updates are continuous processes, ensuring that the platform remains a reliable source of information. It primarily relies on lists from published authorities, such as regional rare bird committees, considered the gold standard for data accuracy. Additionally, it incorporates records from the eBird EBD dataset published by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These records are regularly reviewed and integrated as needed.

The platform also utilizes various internet resources to supplement its distribution data, including the Facebook Global Rare Bird Alert, the American Bird Association blog, BirdGuides, and the Tarsiger website. New records that official rarity committees have not yet vetted are provisionally evaluated based on available documentation before being included. This process ensures that the data remains as accurate and up-to-date as possible, even if it occasionally leads to minor differences from official lists.

Key Features and Tools for Bird Enthusiasts

1. Regional Checklists:
2. The site offers over 20,000 checklists for various geographic regions, including countries, territories, states, provinces, and islands. These checklists are customizable and can be aligned with different taxonomic authorities, allowing users to explore bird species based on their preferred classification systems.
3. MyAvibase:
4. A personalized feature that allows users to create accounts, track life lists, and generate reports to identify target species or regions. It benefits bird watchers and researchers who wish to keep a detailed record of their sightings and plan future birding trips.
5. Illustrated Checklists and PDF Downloads:
6. Users can create printable PDF versions of checklists with bird illustrations and familiar names in nearly 200 languages. This feature is perfect for bird enthusiasts who prefer to carry a physical copy during their field trips.
7. Integration with Multimedia:
8. The platform integrates bird images from Flickr and bird songs from Xeno-Canto, providing users with a richer, more interactive experience. This multimedia aspect enhances learning and enjoyment, allowing users to see and hear the birds they study.
9. Taxonomic Concept Pages:
10. Each bird species has a dedicated page with detailed taxonomic information, synonyms, and distribution data. For instance, the American Robin’s page is identified by the unique ID D77E4B418D581FB2, making it easy to access and reference.

Why This Platform Is a Valuable Resource

The platform is a unique and comprehensive database offering an unparalleled wealth of bird-related information. Its ability to cross-reference multiple taxonomic concepts and provide extensive regional checklists makes it an essential resource for studying bird diversity and distribution. Researchers, conservationists, and bird watchers benefit from the database’s vast data, multimedia integration, and user-friendly tools.

By combining scientific rigor with community engagement, the platform helps foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of avian biodiversity. It supports conservation efforts by providing accurate data that can be used to monitor bird populations and track changes over time. It also serves as an educational tool, offering resources that help people learn more about birds and their habitats.

Conclusion

This dynamic platform combines taxonomic data, distribution records, multimedia resources, and community engagement to offer a holistic view of the world’s bird species. With its extensive data, innovative tools, and commitment to accuracy, it continues to be a leading resource in global bird taxonomy and bird watching, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of avian biodiversity.

FAQs:

What is this platform used for?

It organizes global bird taxonomic and distribution data, offering checklists for over 20,000 geographic regions and other bird-related resources.

Who is behind the creation of this database?

Denis Lepage, the Senior Director of Data Science and Technology at Birds Canada, created and maintained the platform.

How does the platform gather its data?

It gathers data from authoritative sources, including published lists from regional rare bird committees, the eBird dataset from Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and various online birdwatching forums.

What tools does it offer to users?

The site provides tools like regional checklists, illustrated PDFs, personalized life list tracking, multimedia integration, and detailed taxonomic concept pages.

Why is this platform important for bird enthusiasts?

It offers comprehensive, accurate, and updated data on bird species and their distribution, making it a valuable resource for researchers, bird watchers, and conservationists.