Nebraska Birding Bowl Rules
All Category Requirements:
Rules & Registration
- All adult team members must read the rules and register through the Nebraska Birding Guide website (April 1- May 31).
- At least one adult team member must have an eBird account. Only eBird checklists and Trip Reports are accepted (exception of Fledgling Flock).
- At least one adult (18+) must be on the team.
- Participants can only compete on one team, with the exception of adults leading a Fledgling Flock team.
- Team members must bird together and stay within voice contact but can bird with other teams and must follow the American Birding Association Code of Ethics.
Observe & Identify Birds
- Observe (by sight or sound) your categories’ required number of bird species during May.
- Only count birds you can positively identify using general labels (e.g., “sparrow sp.”) if unsure.
Education Program
eBird Checklists
- Your team must meet your categories’ required number of eBird checklists.
- Submit final checklists via eBird by 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 31 (one checklist per team per location).
- Adding your team name in the checklist comments is optional but helpful for tracking lists.
eBird Trip Report
- After submitting your final checklist, one team member must create an eBird Trip Report including only Nebraska checklists from May of this year. eBird generates the Trip Report as a single link (e.g. https://ebird.org/tripreport/0000).
- Each team submits one Trip Report.
- Trip Reports must be public or view-only.
- The Trip Report narrative should include:
- Team name
- Adult team member names
- Nebraska Bird Month program attended and one thing learned
- For submission or instructions, visit Nebraska Birding Bowl.
New Prizes in 2026!
Category-specific Requirements:
| Category | Minimum Species | Category Rules | Prize (each level is a separate, randomized drawing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fledgling Flock Youth & Family | 10 | • Adults record birds observed on at least one checklist • Youth create artwork or write about birds they observed. Email by May 31 • eBird not required for this category, adult Fledgling Flock participants can also participate on another team | Observe at least: • 10 species: Kowa youth birding kit • 15 species: Kowa youth birding kit • 20 species: Bird Conservancy of the Rockies youth birding kit |
| Backyard Birder Home-based & Accessible | 10 | • Team members must be from a single household • Submit an eBird Trip Report with at least five eBird checklists from your home | Observe at least: • 10 species: Kowa binoculars • 20 species: Kowa binoculars • 30 species: Bird feeding setup (pole, feeder, & seed) |
| Dabbling Birder Beginner to Intermediate | 20 | • Submit a eBird Trip Report with at least five eBird checklists, including one checklist from a Nebraska Birding Guide map location | Observe at least: • 20 species: Kowa binoculars • 30 species: Kowa binoculars • 40 species: Vortex Diamondback binoculars |
| Competitive Birder Advanced & High Species Count | 50 | • Rare species flagged by eBird require photo or sound documentation (written description not accepted) • Submit at least ten eBird checklists, including three from a Nebraska Birding Guide map location | Observe at least: • 50 species: Bird field guides • 100 species: $500 cash • 150 species: $1,000 cash |
Additional prizes
Two-night cabin stay
In any category, participants who complete their category requirements will be entered into a drawing for a two-night cabin stay at Ponca State Park or Niobrara State Park. Stay must be completed by May 31 of the following year.
Funniest Team Name Award
In any category, participants who complete their category requirements will also be eligible for the Funniest Team Name Award. The team with the funniest, best bird pun, or most creative team name will win Vortex binoculars and birding stickers!
Voting ended May 31.
Prize Selection
Prize winners are selected randomly using a random number generator.
Winners are not determined by the number of species, rarity of birds, or number of checklists submitted. Teams simply need to complete their category requirements to be entered into the drawing.
Winners announced via email, website, and social media.
Please Note:
- You will receive a confirmation of your registration including Team Name and Category.
- Categories cannot be changed after registration.
- Birds must be wild, unrestrained, alive, and observed within Nebraska.
- Only full species count (e.g., Dark-eyed Junco, not White-winged Junco).
- If identifying a bird group (e.g., “yellowlegs sp.”), it only counts if no other species from that group appears on your list.
- Birding Bowl staff reserve the right to evaluate the integrity of teams’ bird lists and may request more information to support observations.
- Winners will be notified by email and must claim prizes by June 13.
Why We Do the Birding Bowl
While it is fun to celebrate winners and add a little friendly competition, the true purpose of the Nebraska Birding Bowl is to raise awareness and support for Nebraska’s wildlife, their habitats, and the importance of conservation. Thanks to you all – your support, your sightings, and your stories – we meet that goal!
Whether you were birding from your backyard or exploring a new state park, your participation made a difference.
Stay tuned for future events, and we hope to see you again next year!
2026 Birding Bowl Winners
We are excited to announce the 2026 Nebraska Birding Bowl award winners!
Fledgling Flock
| Eligibility Level | Winner | Prize | Trip Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| At Least 10 Species | Chunky Chickadees | Kowa Youth Birding Kit | https://ebird.org/tripreport/529194?view=checklists |
| At Least 15 Species | Chicken Wings | Kowa Youth Birding Kit | https://ebird.org/tripreport/530541 |
| At Least 20 Species | We Saw A Bird Team | Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Youth Birding Kit | Handwritten Checklist Submitted |
Backyard Birder
| Eligibility Level | Winner | Prize | Trip Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| At Least 10 Species | Bra of Boobies | Kowa Binoculars | https://ebird.org/tripreport/531339 |
| At Least 20 Species | Hiatts5 | Kowa Binoculars | https://ebird.org/tripreport/529937 |
| At Least 30 Species | Boxelder Birders | Bird Feeding Setup (Pole, Feeder & Seed) | https://ebird.org/tripreport/532474 |
Dabbling Birder
| Eligibility Level | Winner | Prize | Trip Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| At Least 20 Species | Brody Biberdorf | Kowa Binoculars | https://ebird.org/tripreport/532815 |
| At Least 30 Species | Tweet Twackers | Kowa Binoculars | https://ebird.org/tripreport/533246 |
| At Least 40 Species | Goldfinch Girls (and Dad) | Vortex Diamondback Binoculars | https://ebird.org/tripreport/532663 |
Competitive Birder
| Eligibility Level | Winner | Prize | Trip Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| At Least 50 Species | Poodweckers | Bird Field Guides | https://ebird.org/tripreport/534069 |
| At Least 100 Species | The Nighthawk | $500 Cash Prize | https://ebird.org/tripreport/523331 |
| At Least 150 Species | Pájaro cantor | $1,000 Cash Prize | https://ebird.org/tripreport/532849 |
These awards were drawn from eligible participants who met the requirements for the designated categories. Congratulations to our additional winners!
| Award | Winner | Prize | Trip Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-Night Cabin Stay Drawing | Lee Bird Team | Two-night cabin stay at either Ponca or Niobrara State Park | https://ebird.org/tripreport/532201 |
| Funniest Team Name (103 votes) | Mother Flicker | Vortex Binoculars & Birding Stickers | https://ebird.org/tripreport/532624 |
Special Recognition
A special thank you to David Cunningham, Team Pájaro Cantor, winner of the Competitive Birder 150 Species Level Prize. David has generously donated his entire $1,000 cash prize to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund to support nongame wildlife research, conservation, and education efforts (including Birding Bowl) across Nebraska.
David’s commitment to wildlife conservation exemplifies the spirit of Birding Bowl and demonstrates how a shared passion for birds can make a lasting difference for Nebraska’s wildlife and natural resources.
Thank you, David, for your remarkable generosity and dedication to conserving Nebraska’s wildlife.
Award Ceremony Invitation
All participants, family members, and friends are invited to attend the Nebraska Birding Bowl Award Ceremony:
Friday, June 27, 2026
5:00 PM CDT
Wild Bird Habitat Store
5601 S. 56th Street, Suite 7
Lincoln, Nebraska
We’ll recognize award winners, celebrate another successful Birding Bowl, and spend time connecting with fellow birders from across the state.
2025 Birding Bowl Winners
Fledgling Flock Category
Jenny Paden (Team High Flyers) and three youth participants were randomly drawn to win the youth birding kits.
Backyard Birder Category
With 37 species and 31 checklists, Melissa Hewitt (Team Melissa Hewitt) was randomly drawn to win the bird feeding setup.
Dabbling Birder Category
With 36 species and 6 checklists, Sarah Alonso (Team Alonso) was randomly drawn to win a pair of Vortex Diamondback binoculars.
Competitive Birder Category
With 151 species and 61 checklists, Glenda Burgess (Team Cheep Thrills) was randomly drawn to win bird field guides.
With 185 species and 114 checklists, Boni Edwards (Team NPBirder) was randomly drawn to win the $500 prize.
With 181 species and 80 checklists, Judson Buescher (Team Judsonian Godwit) was randomly drawn to win the $1,000 grand prize.
Additional Prize Drawing
Brenda Guillen (Team Dog Walker) was randomly selected to win the two-night stay at Niobrara or Ponca State Park.
For questions or to share your Birding Bowl stories contact us.
This event is sponsored by:
Interested in Sponsoring Birding Bowl?
We welcome organizations interested in supporting the Nebraska Birding Bowl through Nebraska Bird Month educational programs orprize sponsorships. If your organization would like to partner with us, please contact us!