Grabatón
8–10 May
What is the Grabaton?
It is a new collaborative event where teams from across Latin America and the Caribbean go out to record bird sounds and upload them to eBird.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, what matters is participating, learning, and contributing to improving knowledge and the sound archive of Neotropical birds.
Live Map
Explore the areas where teams are already organized to join the Grabatón from May 8 to 10.
Join in!
You will connect with nature in a different way and learn alongside a growing community.
1. Form a team
You can invite friends or create a team with people in different cities.
2. Go out and record
During the weekend, record bird sounds in your surroundings. Try to have your team record at least 5 priority species.
3. Upload your audio to eBird
Upload the recordings to eBird from the personal accounts of each team member, then gather all your checklists into a single trip report.
4. Create a trip report
Group your checklists into a single trip report for the whole team. Learn how to create and share a report here >>>
5. Register your participation
Fill out the participation form with the link to your team’s trip report. You have until May 12. Complete the form here [only 1 per team] >>>
Special goal:
Record 5 or more priority species
In addition to going out to record and sharing the experience, the Grabatón challenges each team to record at least 5 priority species for Merlin Sound ID.
What you need to know
- Team members do not need to be in the same place.
- You can participate with a phone or any recording equipment.
- Recordings do not need to be perfect, but try to follow good practices.
- You can create the trip report before the event.
- You can register your participation until May 12.
Show off your photos
We would love to see photos of your team during the event. Share them on social media using the hashtag #grabaton2026 or share your photos with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we participate from different places?
Yes. Team members can be spread across different locations. Everything will be added together in your trip report.
Do I need professional equipment?
No. You can participate with any device for recording sounds, even a phone.
Do the recordings have to be high quality?
No, but try to make sure the target bird’s vocalization can be heard clearly, and if possible, use good-quality formats.
How long should the recordings be?
There is no minimum length, but recordings longer than 30 seconds are recommended to capture a good sample of the vocal repertoire of the species being recorded.
Do I need to edit the recordings before uploading them?
It is not required, but it is recommended. Follow our best practices for audio editing here.
Where do I upload the audio?
From your personal account in eBird checklists, so the recordings become part of the global archive.
Can I create the trip report before the event?
Yes. You can create it beforehand and share it with your team using a future date, so you do not have to worry about it during the event.
How long do I have to register my team?
Once you have your trip report, you can register your team in the form. You will have until Tuesday, May 12, after the Grabatón.
Can I participate if I am a beginner?
Yes, absolutely. The Grabatón is also an opportunity to learn.
