Overview
- Dates: Annually on May 1 – 31
- Cost: Free
- What it is: Statewide birding competition during Nebraska Bird Month
- Who it is for: Everyone! All ages and skill levels
- Participation: Gather teammates or go solo, register and record bird sightings on eBird
- Prizes: Participants will win prizes such as Vortex binoculars and a $1,000 cash!
How to Participate
1. Read the Nebraska Birding Bowl Rules
2. Choose a category that fits your interest:
- Fledgling Flock
- Backyard Birder
- Dabbling Birder
- Competitive Birder
3. Form a team or participate solo – One adult (18+) required per team
4. Register (April 1 – May 31) – All adult team members must register
5. Create an eBird Account – Tutorial available below
6. Go Birding! – Submit checklists via eBird throughout May
Share Your Adventure! – Post on Facebook & Instagram using #NEBirdingBowl.
Winners Announced via email, website, and social media.
Register
Before registering, read the rules, choose a team name, and select a category. All adult team members must register to compete. Registration opens April 1.
Trip Report Submission
After completing your birding, submit your eBird Trip Report including all checklists recorded for Birding Bowl. Trip Reports can be submitted May 1–May 31.
For instructions on creating a Trip Report, visit Nebraska Birding Bowl Rules.
T-shirts
Donate $30 or more to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund between April and May to receive a limited-edition Nebraska Birding Bowl T-shirt while supplies last.
Donations support important projects like bird habitat conservation and the research and monitoring of at-risk and nongame species.
The following research was supported by the WCF:
- Nebraskaland Magazine – Timberdoodles on the Plains
- Birds of Nebraska – American Woodcock
Important T-Shirt & Donation Information
Please use the same name and email address for both your Birding Bowl registration and your Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF) donation. When registrations and donations match by name and email, t-shirts will be automatically shipped to the mailing address provided with your WCF donation in the size selected during registration. Please ensure your mailing address is accurate at the time of donation.
If your registration and donation do not use the same name and email, you will still receive an email allowing you to opt in for a t-shirt, but this process will take longer than automatic shipments.
Please note that donation reports are received every few weeks, not immediately after a donation is made. T-shirt fulfillment is handled by one team member, so we appreciate your patience as orders are processed and shipped.
If you are donating to receive a Nebraska Birding Bowl T-shirt, please be sure to select the Wildlife Conservation Fund when completing your donation. There are multiple fund options available in the system, and only donations made to the Wildlife Conservation Fund are eligible.
If you have any questions or believe you selected the wrong fund, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.
eBird Tutorials
Learn how to participate with these resources:
Additional Resources
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 or prize sponsorships. If your organization would like to partner with us, please contact us!