Standardised surveys encourage citizen scientists to record birds in a way that’s more consistent in space and time, improving the scientific depth and power of the data you share. This approach is most powerful when surveys are repeated at the same location. Try surveying the same location at consistent intervals to build a richer picture of the local bird community over weeks, months or even years.

Standardised surveys require slightly more effort than a general bird list, but the reward is high-quality data crucial for conservation. The consistency of these surveys makes it much easier for our scientists to compare surveys across different time periods and regions of the country. This makes standardised surveys ideal for seeing how bird populations are changing over time – for better or for worse.

Standardised surveys submitted to Birdata have formed the backbone of several important publications on the plight of our native birds: for example, the Threatened Species Index and Action Plan for Australia’s Birds (2020), as well as local-scale publications like the State of Tasmania’s Birds report. These incredible publications rely heavily on the surveys submitted by everyday citizen scientists, so don’t be shy about giving things a go! Download some of our standardised survey guides below.