2026 Recording Challenges
Collective Challenge: 4,000 Species
Our shared goal for 2026 is to record 4,000 different bird species in Latin America and the Caribbean.
If we reach the goal, we will unlock prizes and recognitions for the community.
Participating is easy:
Personal Challenges
Choose your challenge and leave your mark! Each completed challenge grants you a digital badge and the chance to enter monthly and annual raffles for each club.
100 Club
Record 100 or more different species throughout the year. Perfect for those who enjoy constant exploration. Every recording counts!
Prize to be raffled: Zeiss Victory SF 8×42 Binocular
🎖️ Participants who have already earned this badge:
Specialists Club
Record 30 or more priority species for Merlin Audio ID.
Help improve sound recognition across the region.
Prize to be raffled: Crake Sound Professional Stereo Parabolic + Zoom H1
🎖️ Participants who have already earned this badge:
No one has earned this badge yet, be the first!
30-Day Challenge
Record at least 20 different species each month.
A consistency challenge to stay motivated all year long.
Monthly prize to be raffled: Synco directional microphone
🎖️ Monthly winners:
January: To be raffled on Monday, February 2, 2026
Local Challenges
Stay local. Participate in a challenge designed for your region.
This series of challenges is promoted by partners and focuses on regional priorities and local needs
BirdsCaribbean Challenge
From January–July 2026, upload 50+ recordings of any species, including at least 3 Caribbean priority species. Eligible participants will qualify for special prizes at BirdsCaribbean’s 25th International Conference in Trinidad. Read more →
🎖️ Participants who have already completed this challenge:
No one has completed this challenge yet, be the first!
Stay up to date every month!
Throughout 2026 we will host a webinar on the first Monday of each month to share updates on the 2026 challenges: who earned the badges, progress toward the collective challenge, and the monthly Synco microphone raffle among those who completed the 30-Day Challenge.
Next webinar: 2026 Challenges Launch
📅 Monday, February 2, 2026
🕘 Time: 21:00 (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil) 19:00 (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador) — 18:00 (Central America and Mexico) — 20:00 (Bolivia, Paraguay, Venezuela)