Your observations will be able to help science
Birds.kz will pass the observations of its members to GBIF, the world open database of living nature. This way a bird you met at Kapchagay or in Korgalzhyn becomes part of a common picture that scientists and nature reserves use to understand where species live and what is happening to them.
What GBIF is
Imagine a shared library where museums, universities, nature reserves and observer websites from all over the world hand in their records of “which species, where and when it was seen”. Each of them knows little alone, but together they make a map of life on the planet.
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) is exactly such a library. It is an international network supported by the governments of many countries. It holds billions of records of plants and animals, and all of them are open to researchers free of charge.
Large observer websites do the same, for example iNaturalist and eBird: their records also go to GBIF.
How an observation reaches science
- 1You publish an observationPhoto, species, date and place, as usual on Birds.kz.
- 2The species is confirmedThe identification is confirmed by the community or a moderator. Unconfirmed observations do not go to GBIF.
- 3Upload to GBIFOnce a month Birds.kz will update its dataset in GBIF.
- Working for birdsScientists build range maps, nature reserves choose what to protect.
Who uses this data
They study migration, numbers and how species react to climate change. Thousands of scientific papers have been published on GBIF data.
They see where rare species occur and justify the protection of areas.
They refine distribution maps and the seasons in which species are met.
What we share and what we do not
We share
- Species, date and place of the observation
- Your name or “Birds.kz member”, as you choose
- A link to the observation on Birds.kz
Not shared with GBIF
- Photos and videos
- Your email, comments and diaries
- The exact place of rare and protected species: we share the region instead, so that poachers cannot find nests and leks
Licenses: on what terms the data may be used
GBIF accepts data only under three open Creative Commons licenses. You choose the license in your settings.
Anyone may use it but must credit you as the author. The most common choice.
No conditions, like the public domain. Crediting the author is not required.
Credit the author and use for non-commercial purposes only. Some research (for example, commissioned by companies) cannot use such data.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my mind?
Yes, at any time in your settings. Records already published are updated or disappear from GBIF at the next monthly upload. Copies that researchers have already downloaded cannot be taken back.
Who will see my name?
If you chose “With my name”, it appears in the GBIF record as the name of the observer, and anyone who opens the record will see it. If you chose “Anonymously”, the record says “Birds.kz member” instead.
Why might my observation not reach GBIF?
Most often because the species has not yet been confirmed by the community or a moderator: only confirmed identifications go to GBIF. Two other reasons: sharing is off in your settings, or the observation was published after the last upload. Then it will appear in the next one.
How do I find my observations in GBIF?
The Birds.kz dataset will appear in GBIF soon. When it is published we will add a link here: you will be able to search records by species, place and observer.
Your observations will help
Sharing has not started yet. You can already turn it on or off and choose the signature and license in your account settings.
Want to see for yourself? Visit the GBIF website and look at the data collected from all over the world.
Open the GBIF website The site is in English and opens in a new tab.