Celebrating Birders
We recognize the dedication of those who venture into the field to document Brazil's birds. Every record matters, and every birder deserves to be celebrated.
About BirdRank
Every Bird Tells a Story
BirdRank transforms birdwatching records into accessible data for the conservation community — celebrating the birders who document Brazil's incredible avian biodiversity.
Our Mission
We believe that every bird recorded is a step toward understanding Brazil's natural heritage. BirdRank exists to connect observer performance with monitoring accuracy, transforming records into biological indicators.
Data for Research
Identifying species with low population density is the first step towards accurate fauna mapping.
Community & Gamification
Rankings and points make birdwatching more engaging, fostering a vibrant community united by curiosity and a shared love for nature.
How It Works
BirdRank turns real-world birdwatching data into an engaging experience in four simple steps.
01
Data from WikiAves
We collect photographic bird records from WikiAves, Brazil's largest birdwatching community, ensuring every observation is backed by real documentation.
02
Point Calculation
Each species earns points based on its conservation status — the rarer and more threatened the bird, the more points your record is worth.
03
Rankings & Leaderboards
Monthly and annual leaderboards showcase the most active and impactful birders, with regional breakdowns across all Brazilian states.
04
Community Engagement
Observer profiles, rare bird radar, and the bird of the day keep the community connected, informed, and motivated to keep exploring.
Scoring System
Our point system rewards birders who document species with greater conservation needs. The harder a species is to find, the more it matters.
🐦
Common Species
1 point
Species with a wide distribution and a high frequency of sightings.
⭐
Rare Species (NT/VU)
2 points
Species in vulnerability categories (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Recording them is essential for building historical time series.
🛡️
Threatened Species (EN/CR)
3 points
Critically endangered species. Documentation of high value for the biological database.
Bonus for 1st Record (max +2 per month)
+1
1st Record in Brazil
First observer to record any species in the country this month
+1
1st Record in State
First observer to record any species in their state this month
Ciência Cidadã e Base de Dados
Brazil has one of the richest avifaunas in the world. By systematising observation data and rewarding the recording of species that are difficult to locate, we increase the visibility and volume of information available for technical and scientific analyses.
Advisory Databases and Recording Bodies
WikiAves
WikiAves is Brazil's largest citizen science platform for birds, providing the observational data that powers BirdRank.
ICMBio
ICMBio (Chico Mendes Institute) is the Brazilian federal agency responsible for managing conservation units and protecting threatened species.
BirdLife International
BirdLife International coordinates global bird conservation efforts and maintains the definitive assessments of species threat levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are points calculated?
Each unique species recorded in the month is worth points based on its conservation status: 1 point for common species (LC), 2 points for rare (NT/VU), and 3 points for threatened (EN/CR). You can also earn up to +2 bonus points per month: +1 for being the first observer to record any species in Brazil, and +1 for being the first in your state.
What's the difference between "species" and "records"?
Species are unique birds you've photographed. Records are the total number of photos or observations. Example: photographing the same blue macaw 10 times = 1 species, 10 records. On BirdRank, points count per unique species — diversity matters more than the volume of photos of the same bird.
Why doesn't recording the same bird multiple times earn more points?
BirdRank rewards the diversity of species observed, not photo volume. Each species counts only once per month, regardless of how many photos were taken. This encourages birders to explore new habitats and seek new species.
What is the "1st Record in Brazil" bonus?
+1 bonus point for the first observer to have any species imported into the system this month. This bonus is granted at most once per observer per month — regardless of how many species you were the first to record.
Does the state bonus use where I recorded or where I live?
The bonus uses the state from your WikiAves profile (where you live), not the location of the observation. This means if you live in SP but photographed a bird in RJ, the bonus still counts for SP. Make sure your WikiAves profile has the correct state.
What's the difference between the monthly and annual ranking?
The monthly ranking considers only species recorded in the current month. The annual ranking accumulates all species throughout the year, and 1st record bonuses also accumulate — each month you were first in Brazil or in your state earns +1. Maximum +24 bonus points per year (12 months × 2 bonuses).
How do I appear in the ranking? Do I need an account?
No account on BirdRank is needed. You just need photos published and accepted on WikiAves. The system imports data automatically — if you're on WikiAves, you'll eventually appear here.
Where does the data come from?
Data is collected from WikiAves, Brazil's largest collaborative bird observation platform. Only verified photos (not questioned by the community) are considered. Sound-only records are not included.
When is the data updated?
At the start of each month, the system enters an intensive update mode: all ~1,973 species are covered in approximately 3 days. For the rest of the month, data is kept current through continuous rotations every few days. There may be a lag of up to a few days between a record on WikiAves and its appearance here.
What are achievements?
Achievements are badges awarded for reaching specific milestones. Permanent achievements (e.g., photographing 100 species over time) are earned once. Monthly achievements (e.g., top 10 for the month, 1st nationally) can be earned every month. You can see any observer's achievements on their profile.
What is the Low-occurrence radar?
The Radar is an interactive map showing the most recent observations of NT (Near Threatened), VU (Vulnerable), EN (Endangered), and CR (Critically Endangered) species across Brazil. It's a tool for tracking where and when these birds are being recorded — useful for both birders and researchers.
Behind the Project
Junior Rodrigues
Developer & Birdwatcher
BirdRank was created by Junior Rodrigues as a passion project born from the intersection of software development and a deep love for nature. What started as a personal challenge to learn and build evolved into a platform dedicated to celebrating Brazil's birding community and the incredible biodiversity they help document.
Ready to Explore?
Follow the ranking leaders, monitor priority species on the radar, and be part of a community where every sighting generates statistical value for monitoring the national avifauna.
Support the Project
If BirdRank has been useful to you, consider making a contribution via PIX. Every bit of support helps keep the platform running and evolving.
PIX
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