Center for Avian Population Studies

Big data, big impact.

Wood Thrush by John Petruzzi/Macaulay Library

In the Center for Avian Population Studies we innovate scientific, computational, and data resources that transform how we understand and protect the world around us. Our specialty is harnessing the power of big data, from acquisition and curation to analysis, to advance basic and applied science, provide customizable data products and visualizations that support full-life-cycle conservation, and build capacity in others to monitor and analyze bird populations around the world. We move knowledge into action by working with partners around the globe to generate and apply science to real-world problems.

  • A Blackburnian Warbler in a coffee bush
    Blackburnian Warbler by Guillermo Santos
    Scientific Discovery

    We conduct interdisciplinary research around the world to understand the threats and actions needed to protect priority systems and species, and the ways to work with people to achieve conservation.

  • Tricolored Blackbird with insect in its beak taking off
    Tricolored Blackbird by Nigel Voaden / Macaulay Library
    Science to Action

    We bring information to decision-makers and practitioners to achieve landscape-scale conservation for ecosystems and birds. Examples include our work on the Golden-winged Warbler as well as our publicly accessible eBird data portal for state wildlife agencies in the U.S.

  • Cornell University economist Juan Nicolás Hernandez-Aguilera lectures to a class at the De Los Andes Cooperativa
    Photo by Guillermo Santos
    Partnerships and Capacity-Building

    With partners across the hemisphere, we share expertise and build capacity to apply science, monitor bird populations, and implement solutions that protect biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods.

  • Black-and-White Warbler perched on a branch
    Black-and-White Warbler by Ryan Schain / Macaulay Library
    eBird

    We manage and develop eBird, partnering with organizations around the world to engage a global audience in sharing observations to empower research and conservation of birds and ecosystems.

  • Wood Thrush abundance map, eBird status and trends
    Courtesy of eBird status and trends
    eBird Analytics

    Through the exploration, analysis, and visualization of massive data sets, we reveal insights on the distribution, movements, status, and trends of birds through time and across hemispheres.

  • Birdcast radar showing movement north in the midwestern united states
    Courtesy of BirdCast
    Radar Ornithology

    At the forefront of radar ornithology, BirdCast forecasts night-by-night densities of birds aloft, transforming our ability to understanding migration and reduce threats to birds.

  • An overhead view of land conserved by the Indian River Lakes Conservancy
    Photo by Indian River Lakes Conservancy
    Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative

    We provide resources, tools, and funding opportunities to help land trusts amplify the protection and stewardship of birds and habitats across 56 million acres protected by land trusts nationwide.

  • Eastern Meadowlark in flight
    Eastern Meadowlark by Nick Pulcinella
    Policy and Management

    To ensure the best science is used in conservation decision-making, we help produce influential syntheses of scientific data such as the State of the Birds report and Partners in Flight conservation plans.

  • Two Snow Geese landing into a flock of geese
    Snow Geese by Marky Mutchler / Macaulay Library
    Bird and Biodiversity Monitoring

    Working with partners across the Western hemisphere, we develop integrated bird monitoring programs to advance quantifiable, targeted conservation outcomes.

  • Neotropical flyways over North America
    Pathways and silhouettes by Chloe Lam
    Full Annual and Life Cycle Conservation

    To better understand the distribution and ecology of migratory birds as they move across hemispheres, we study their full life cycles using innovative field, technological, and computational studies.

  • Colombia landscape, in coffee story
    Photo by Guillermo Santos
    Conservation in Human-Dominated Landscapes

    We work to identify and incentivize creative ways to sustain biodiversity, protect critical ecosystem services, and support human health and well-being within human-dominated landscapes, including cities and working lands.

  • closeup of a duck with a cinnamon red head and black-and-white body
    Powering a New Era of Conservation

    How eBird and participatory science are supercharging waterfowl conservation and habitat protection.

Program Staff


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Golden-cheeked Warbler by Bryan Calk/Macaulay Library