Bird The Boot Challenge

1. All bird sightings must occur at participant’s house. 
2. All bird sightings must occur between May 15, 2026 and June 1, 2026.
3. Birds must be conclusively identified by sight or sound.
4. AI and identification apps (Merlin, BirdNET, iNaturalist, AI binoculars, etc.) may not be used for the sole purpose to identify birds.  They can only be utilized to confirm an identification the birder already believes they have made.
5. Birds must be alive, wild, and unrestrained.
6. Electronic or recorded bird calls may not be used.
7. Pishing and other bird sounds made by mouth are allowed.
8. All are required to follow birding ethics.
9. Team:  (household) – Bird documenting rules that apply to teams two and larger:
   • Two-member team - both members must positively identify the bird (sight or sound) before counting the species 
   • If team is composed of three or more, the majority of the challenge members must individually, positively identify the bird (sight or sound) before counting the species.  Example for a team of five – three must positively identify the species on their own before it can be counted.
10. Each team utilizing eBird must submit at least three eBird checklists from their home location. Additionally, teams must document at least 15 bird species in their final trip report.
    • For this challenge, paper checklists or digital eBird submissions are acceptable. See submission requirements below. Participants must follow eBird’s best practices    
    • FYI - A new checklist can be started after every observation hour or daily.    
11. If a species is flagged by eBird as rare, the team must add additional documentation in the form of either photos or sound recordings. Written descriptions alone will not be acceptable for rare birds reported in this category. A rare bird sighting must be accepted by an eBird reviewer to count for the challenge.
12. Exotic species classified as “escapee” in Louisiana will not be included in your species count. Virtually all of these will be flagged as “rare” by eBird (one exception is Muscovy Duck, which is not flagged as rare in eBird but is considered “escapee” and thus will not count).

Two available options: use eBird or submit a paper checklist.

Option 1 – eBird:

1. Team (household) must submit at least three eBird checklists from their home location. Additionally, teams must document at least 15 bird species in their final trip report. 
2. The team will not share individual eBird checklists with LDWF for the challenge category. Instead, after the challenge concludes, the team leader must create a Trip Report that includes all of your team’s checklists. If you participate on two or more challenge teams, separate Trip Reports must be submitted for each team. 
3. After all challenge checklists have been submitted to eBird, the team leader that created the Trip Report must:
   • Name your Trip Report according to the appropriate challenge category title, “LDWF Birding Challenge - House Wrens.” The Trip Report narrative must include your team name and the names of team members.
   • In each Trip Report, under Edit > Add people, be sure to invite the eBird username: LABirdingChallenge
   • Ensure that only checklists to be included for your LDWF Birding Challenge team are included for your Trip Report(s); be sure to uncheck any checklists that are not for your LDWF Birding Challenge team.
   • Ensure that the Trip Report’s visibility is set to Public, and email the Trip Report link to birdtheboot@wlf.la.gov with the email subject “House Wrens Trip Report - [Your Team Name]” by 11:59 p.m. CDT on June 12, 2026, to be considered for a prize drawing.

  Option 2- Paper Checklist:

1. Teams (households) choosing to submit paper checklists are required to bird watch for a minimum of three hours (this substitutes for three eBird checklists) during the contest period and document at least 15 bird species. 
2. Required details on the paper checklist:
   • Team name and names of team members
   • Home address, phone number, and e-mail (if available)
   • Date(s) and time(s) of observations
   • Must include the number of individuals seen per species. Example: 18 northern cardinals, 5 house sparrows, 2 Carolina wrens, 8 brown-headed cowbirds, 1 pine warbler, etc.

3. Download and print the official Louisiana bird checklist.
4. E-mail the final completed checklist back to birdtheboot@wlf.la.gov

  Or mail to:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

c/o Geaux Play Outdoors – LDWF Birding Challenge
200 Dulles Drive
Lafayette, LA 70506

All completed checklists must be postmarked by June 12, 2026. Include your team name and team members on the checklist. 

1. All bird sightings must occur on approved LDWF lands. See a list of approved locations.
2. Participants 18 years and older must obtain a WMA access permit or a license containing such.
3. Users must follow LDWF requirements and check in and out of the WMA via paper cards at kiosk station, web portal, or by utilizing the Check-In/Check-Out app (Download Apple App or Download Google Play App).
4. All bird sightings must occur between May 15, 2026 and June 1, 2026.
5. Birds must be conclusively identified by sight or sound.
6. AI and identification apps (Merlin, BirdNET, iNaturalist, AI binoculars, etc.) may not be used for the sole purpose to identify birds. They can only be utilized to confirm an identification the birder already believes they have made.
7. Birds must be alive, wild, and unrestrained.
8. Electronic or recorded bird calls may not be used.
9. Pishing and other bird sounds made by mouth are allowed.
10. All participants are required to follow birding ethics.
11. Pairs - both individuals must positively identify the bird (sight or sound) before counting the species. Pairs must be within speaking voice contact at all times.
    Teams – the majority of the team members must individually, positively identify the bird (sight or sound) before counting the species.  Example for a team of five – three must positively identify the species on their own before it can be counted.  Teams members must be within speaking voice contact at all times. 
12. An individual, pair, or team must submit at least five eBird checklists from any LDWF-managed land. See submission requirements
13. If a species is flagged by eBird as rare, the team must add additional documentation in the form of either photos or sound recordings. Written descriptions alone will not be acceptable for rare birds reported in this category. A rare bird sighting must be accepted by an eBird reviewer to count for the challenge.
14. Exotic species classified as “escapee” in Louisiana will not be included in your species count.  Virtually all of these will be flagged as “rare” by eBird (one exception is Muscovy Duck, which is not flagged as rare in eBird, but is considered “escapee” and thus will not count).

1. An individual, pair, or team must submit at least five eBird checklists from any LDWF managed land location.
2. The individual, pair, or team will not share individual eBird checklists with LDWF for challenge categories. Instead, after the challenge concludes, the team leader must create a Trip Report that includes all of your individual, pair, or team’s checklists. If you participate on two or more challenge teams, separate Trip Reports must be submitted for each team. 
3. After all challenge checklists are submitted to eBird, the team leader who created the Trip Report(s) must:
   • Name each Trip Report according to the appropriate challenge category title, "LDWF Birding Challenge – Eagle Eyes Individual", "LDWF Birding Challenge – Eagle Eyes Pair", or "LDWF Birding Challenge – Eagle Eyes Team."
   • In each Trip Report, under Edit > Add people, be sure to invite the eBird username: LABirdingChallenge
   • Ensure that only checklists to be included for your LDWF Birding Challenge team are included for your Trip Report(s); be sure to uncheck any checklists that are not for your LDWF Birding Challenge team.
   • Ensure that the Trip Report’s visibility is set to Public, and email the Trip Report link to birdtheboot@wlf.la.gov with the email subject “Eagle Eyes Trip Report - [Your Team Name]” by 11:59 p.m. CDT on June 12, 2026, to be considered for a prize drawing.