Report updated Apr 15, 2026
eBird
For birdwatchers and citizen scientists interested in tracking species and contributing to global ornithological research.
Overview · Full Intel report in progress
eBird is an established reference app that is completely free. With a 3.9/5 rating from 4.6K reviews, it shows polarized user reception.
What is eBird?
Current Momentum
v3.6 · 4w ago
IntenseLast updated 28d ago. 5 versions tracked.
What makes this app unique?
What Does It Look Like?
How Is The App's Momentum Right Now?
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What Are The Key Features?
Enables users to record bird observations from any location worldwide using a global taxonomy based on The Clements Checklist.
Provides customized checklists that suggest likely species based on the user's specific location and time of year.
Supports incremental list keeping and counting of bird sightings while in the field.
Automatically flags rare species during the data entry process to ensure data accuracy.
How much does it cost?
Who Built It?
Cornell University
Connecting academic research with global citizen science through high-utility identification tools and community engagement platforms.
Portfolio
13
Apps
Who is Cornell University?
Cornell University leverages its academic prestige and proprietary ornithological data to dominate the citizen-science niche. Their moat is built on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s massive eBird database and sound/photo identification algorithms, which are difficult for commercial competitors to replicate without similar institutional backing. While flagship tools are offered as free public goods to drive data collection, the portfolio shows a strategic tension between high-utility scientific references and smaller, maintenance-mode utility apps for campus life and veterinary health.
Who is Cornell University for?
- Nature enthusiasts
- Birders
- Citizen scientists
- Alongside Cornell University alumni
Portfolio momentum
The publisher maintains a high release volume with 19 updates in the last 6 months, though activity is concentrated on its flagship scientific titles while 35% of the portfolio remains abandoned.
What other apps does Cornell University make?
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab
NestWatch by the Cornell Lab
Project FeederWatch
Cornell Connects
Cornell Vet preVet Tracker
Cornell Chatter
Analysis in progress, available soon
What do users think recently?
Analysis in progress, available soon
Analysis in progress, available soon
What is the competitive landscape for eBird?
How's The Reference Market?
How does it evolve in the Reference market?
| Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Free | #48 | ▼5 |
Strategic analysis coming soon
SWOT, key takeaways & outlook
The outtake for eBird
Key Takeaways
While the app is a highly regarded tool for scientific data collection, users report significant technical issues regarding the initial download of regional data packs.
Where Is It Heading?
Trend analysis
Available very soon