Frequently Asked Questions about the Great Basin Bird Observatory

If your question is not addressed in the FAQs, please contact us at outreach@gbbo.org, or (775) 323-GBBO (4226).

FAQs from Consulting Firms, Agency and Non-Profit Partners

I represent a group/company that would like GBBO's help with…

…. a petition to help prevent or encourage a particular project or legislation.

…. accessing GBBO's raw data.

…. querying GBBO's data to find out which birds are in my project area.

…. protocols and datasheets for bird surveys and habitat assessments.

…. preventing a project or local activity that has environmental impacts.

FAQs from the Public

I found a wild bird….

…. with a leg band that reads “NBRC”. What does GBBO want me to do?

…. with another leg band or tag. What does GBBO want me to do?

…. that is abandoned/sick/injured. Can GBBO help?

…. that is nesting in my yard or home where it is vulnerable or in the way. What do I do?

…. with the following markings: [description of bird]. Can GBBO tell me what bird that is?

…. that is dead. What do I do?

I want to learn more about birds and birding....

…. Can I visit the bird observatory?

…. What are GBBO’s hours?

…. Does GBBO offer classes in birding or field trips?

…. How can I attract birds to my yard? Which birds occur in Nevada, anyway?

…. Why has Great Basin Birds not been published in recent years?

I represent a group/company that would like GBBO’s help with:
a petition to help prevent or encourage a particular project or legislation.

GBBO is not an advocacy organization, but an organization that collects objective, high-quality biological data to inform conservation and management decisions. Because we feel that we, as a single organization, cannot legitimately fill both the role of advocacy and impartial scientific data collection, we cannot sign any petitions that involve advocacy for legislation or projects. We believe that we can best benefit the conservation of birds by serving as an unbiased source of scientific data, which is provided to partners (as well as members of the public) for them to be more effective in their own role in bird conservation and management. To directly pursue advocacy would be to cast doubt on the objectivity and validity of our scientific data collection and interpretation. Therefore, while we have much respect for all partners who are involved in sorting out the societal interests that involve conservation, we cannot take positions regarding projects or legislation.


I represent a group/company that would like GBBO’s help with:
accessing GBBO’s raw data.

GBBO is a small non-profit with limited staff and a large workload. Our raw Nevada Bird Count and Atlas data are therefore shared with our government partners through a (mostly maintenance-free) secure page on our website. Almost all natural resource agencies of Nevada have access to this site. If a third party would like any of these data (usually because they are working on a particular project as a consultant for one of these agencies), they need to get that agency to access the data for them.

There are two reasons we cannot accommodate specific data requests and queries: (1) we simply do not have enough staff time to provide such services for free; and (2) we cannot assist in any data interpretation (which is usually the follow-up request after requesting access to the data) unless we are familiar with project details and are able to ensure that our participation by providing assistance is in harmony with our mission.

The latter is the biggest concern because even seemingly-easy requests, such as “which species are in my project area”, “how adequate is your survey coverage for my project area”, “can you tell me which sensitive species occur in my project area”, are rife with decisions that we consider a scientific liability if we don’t have enough time to learn about the project details and specific needs and missions of the project. We are open to becoming a funded partner in a project that is not in conflict with our mission. This would allow us to provide the most effective conservation actions/impact avoidance recommendations for a particular project, which is what many data requests appear to be about, at least in our experience.

To access our data, we therefore request that any firm/organization/public representative asks the project manager at the land management or wildlife agency that is relevant to the project. This person can get their wildlife biologist to access our data on the secure site, which requires that all parties agree to a data sharing agreement that addresses our concerns outlined above. If there are any remaining questions about this policy, please contact Elisabeth Ammon at ammon (AT) gbbo.org.


I represent a group/company that would like GBBO’s help with:
querying GBBO’s data to find out which birds are in my project area.

The need to query our data from the Nevada Bird Count project or Atlas project falls into the same policy that is explained in the above item of …. accessing GBBO’s raw data.


I represent a group/company that would like GBBO’s help with:
protocols and datasheets for bird surveys and habitat assessments.

All of our currently-available protocols and data sheets for the Nevada Bird Count can be downloaded from http://www.gbbo.org/data.html. Protocols for the Nevada Breeding Bird Atlas project are explained in the published book (Floyd, T., C.S. Elphick, G. Chisholm, K. Mack, R.G. Elston, E.M. Ammon, J.D. Boone. 2007. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Nevada. University of Nevada Press, Reno. 581 pp.). Methods for other projects can be reviewed in project reports, which we continually add to our website under “Projects”.


I represent a group/company that would like GBBO’s help with:
preventing a project or local activity that has environmental impacts.

GBBO is not an advocacy organization, but an organization that collects objective, high-quality biological data to inform conservation and management decisions. Because we feel that we, as a single organization, cannot legitimately fill both the role of advocacy and impartial scientific data collection, we cannot sign any petitions that involve advocacy for legislation or projects. We believe that we can best benefit the conservation of birds by serving as an unbiased source of scientific data, which is provided to partners (as well as members of the public) for them to be more effective in their own role in bird conservation and management. To directly pursue advocacy would be to cast doubt on the objectivity and validity of our scientific data collection and interpretation. Therefore, while we have much respect for all partners who are involved in sorting out the societal interests that involve conservation, we cannot take positions regarding projects or legislation.


I found a wild bird with a leg band that reads “NBRC”. What does GBBO want me to do?

Nothing. It is not a bird that has anything to do with us. It’s a pigeon fancier’s bird. Unfortunately, they just have the same acronym as our Nevada Bird Records Committee. Here is more info:

If you have found a bird with a band containing the letters "NBRC", it is not from the Nevada Bird Records Committee. Instead, it is from another bird-related group that happens to share our initials, the National Birmingham Roller Club, "...a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the flying and breeding of the Birmingham Roller Pigeon." Their website is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nbrconline


I found a wild bird with another leg band or tag. What does GBBO want me to do?

     If the bird is alive and well…

… please look at it carefully with your binoculars or spotting scope. Try to get as much information on the tags or leg bands as you can, especially:

  • Identify the species (if you don’t know it, try to take a decent photo and send it to us)

  • Record the color of the bands or tags

  • If there is writing on these tags, please do your best to record the numbers in your notes

  • Record where exactly each of the bands or tags are attached on the bird

  • If it’s not a simple leg band or tag, take good notes on what it looks like (unless you have a good photo)

Send this info, along with your name, date of the observation, and exact location to us at outreach@gbbo.org. We'll get back with as quickly as we can.

    If the bird is injured or dead….

…be careful if you must handle it. Ideally, just take photos without handling the bird (unless it has an aluminum leg band). If there is no aluminum leg band or other tags with numbers on them, take a photo of the bands/tags you see, and take at least one good photo of the whole bird.

Send these photos to us, along with your name and the location and date of discovery (send it to outreach@gbbo.org). If you can't take photos, take detailed notes on the color, location on the body, and shape of each attachment. And be sure to do your best to identify the species (again, we can most likely do that for you, if you can send us a photo).

If the bird has an aluminum leg band or other tags with numbers that you can’t see without handling the bird…

use latex gloves or plastic bags on each hand before handling the bird, and clean your hands afterwards with Lysol or other germ-killing products. Read the (up to 9-digit) number on the aluminum leg band, and any numbers on color tags or bands, and write them down carefully for each band, along with date and location of discovery. Photos would, again, be excellent to have to be able to confirm the species and any color tags.

Numbers and color combinations of leg bands and tags on native species are unique. With this information, you can find out where the bird came from. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued these band and tags, and they would love to hear from you if you’ve found a bird with them. Report the band numbers and color combinations to the Bird Banding Lab to get a Certificate of Appreciation for a band recovery along with information on where the bird came from and who banded it (which you can add to your other awards on the wall). Here is where you can report them online: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center: Bird Banding Lab


I found a wild bird that is abandoned/ sick/injured. Can GBBO help?

We can provide the following guidance, but we cannot take in any birds.

Abandoned birds: Do not pick them up unless you absolutely have to! If you found them in a place where they are in immediate threat of getting run over or otherwise killed, pick them up with a cloth or towel (better yet, latex gloves or a plastic bag on each hand, to prevent catching a disease) and gently carry them to the nearest place where they are out of danger. Otherwise, just leave them where you found them. Birds may look abandoned, but they very rarely are. A parent bird typically needs to fly a long ways to find food, but it always knows exactly where its young are. So, if you take a young bird home with you (thinking that it was abandoned), the parents will assume that it got killed by a predator and might never look for it again. But if you just move it out of the path of danger, its begging calls will let Mom and Dad know quickly where it is.

If you are reading this right after you took the bird home, the best thing you can do to ensure its survival is to turn around and quickly bring it back where you found it. Do not worry about the parents “rejecting” it because of your scent. Birds can’t smell very well, and they will accept it if they can find it again.

Sick birds: Do not touch them with your bare hands! If you must handle them, use latex gloves or a plastic bag on each hand to prevent exposure. Several bird diseases are dangerous for humans and pets. Our advice is to leave them where they are, unless they pose a threat to humans or animals. They will likely die. If they die, handle them with the same precautions and dispose of them in a place where no one will be further exposed (e.g., double-wrapped in plastic bags, into the garbage can). Spray all surfaces that have been exposed with bleach solution or Lysol and rinse your hands with peroxide or another germ-killing substance.

More information about wildlife diseases and other common wildlife concerns by home owners can be found on the Nevada Department of Wildlife website:

http://www.ndow.org/Nevada_Wildlife/Health_and_Disease/
http://www.ndow.org/Nevada_Wildlife/Animals/Concerns/

Injured birds: Most injured birds that you might find just hit a window, car, or powerline. Depending on the size of the bird and the severity of the injury, they might die quickly or else limp along with a broken appendage. We generally advise against any handling of birds, unless it’s absolutely necessary because they might injure you or transfer diseases. If you are not sure how to proceed, please contact your nearest wildlife rehab provider listed below. GBBO does not have a wildlife rehab service. Instead, please contact the following folks, depending on your region.

  • Nevada, Northwestern region.....

  • Nevada, Western region, Fallon..... 775-741-6809
    Jenni Jeffers, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Western Region Wildlife Biologist
    Specialty: raptors, skilled nursing care


I found a wild bird that is nesting in my yard or home where it is vulnerable or in the way. What do I do?

Ideally, allow it to finish nesting and protect the nest site until the young leave. It takes only about 3-4 weeks for most birds from start to finish. Usually, people find nests well after they were started, so it may actually take less time for the young to leave. Once they have left the nest, they are fine and it’s safe to remove the nest if it’s in the way.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act does not allow the “take” (= killing) of a native migratory bird or its nest, which pretty much includes all birds that you might find nesting in your backyard except European Starlings, House Sparrows, Rock Pigeons, and Eurasian Collared-Doves.


I found a wild bird with the following markings: [description of bird].
Can GBBO tell me what bird that is?

Possibly. If you have a photo of the bird - even a bad one - it is more likely that we can identify it than with just a description. You can send the photo and/or question to outreach@gbbo.org and we’ll try to get back with you as quickly as we can.


I found a wild bird that is dead. What do I do?

Nothing, if it’s not in your backyard or in another place where your family or pets might be exposed. If it is in a place where kids and pets spend time, then it’s best to collect it and dispose of it safely by using latex gloves or plastic bags on each hand and cleaning your hands afterwards with Lysol or other germ-killing products.

If you have a die-off, which involves at least 3 dead birds in the same location, contact the Nevada Department of Agriculture at:

Reno (775) 688-1180 extension 231
Carson City (775) 887-2190
Las Vegas (702) 383-1251

More information about wildlife diseases and other common wildlife concerns by home owners can be found on the Nevada Department of Wildlife website:

http://www.ndow.org/Nevada_Wildlife/Health_and_Disease/
http://www.ndow.org/Nevada_Wildlife/Animals/Concerns/


I want to learn more about birds and birding:
Can I visit the bird observatory?

The bird observatory is actually a boring place to visit, because it’s simply an office where people work at computers. Unlike a planetarium, we offer no public services, nor do we have birds to look at. We work mostly off-site throughout Nevada and beyond, and our office is pretty much just a place full of data sheets, books, journals, and a meeting room. All the action is outdoors for us, and just with birds that are living in the wild. If you are still interested in tagging along to see what we do, please contact us at outreach@gbbo.org. The best times for such visits are in the spring, April – June (be prepared to be outdoors in physically demanding conditions).


I want to learn more about birds and birding:

What are GBBO’s hours?

GBBO doesn’t keep regular office hours. We cover the whole state of Nevada with field research and monitoring, as well as the Lower Colorado River and several other parts of the region between 9 full-time employees. Besides traveling a lot, we also enjoy flex hours that allow us to fully focus on a given task without being bound to regular office hours. One of the perks of working for a non-profit. Therefore, we are happy to welcome you to our observatory, just make sure you set up a time with one of our staff! If you don’t know a member of our staff, please email us at outreach@gbbo.org.


I want to learn more about birds and birding:
Does GBBO offer classes in birding or field trips?

We do not offer classes or field trips on a regular basis. We kindly refer folks to the three Audubon chapters in Nevada for more information on birding classes:

Lahontan Audubon Society (services the Reno/Carson area):

Red Rock Audubon Society (services the greater Las Vegas area):

Bristlecone Audubon Society (services the Elko region):


I want to learn more about birds and birding:
How can I attract birds to my yard? Which birds occur in Nevada, anyway?

One of the best ways to get into birds and birding is to have feeders, bird baths, and landscaping plants that attract them to your property where you can enjoy learning about them up close. Note that bird baths and appropriate landscaping are the two strategies that attract the most interesting birds around our desert state. Here are some useful websites for attracting birds in our region:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, "For the Birds"

Wild Birds Unlimited, Reno, Nevada

Nevada Department of Wildlife, "Backyard Birds"

Nevadabirds.com

Finally, if you simply want to know which birds occur in Nevada, here is the list, courtesy of the Nevada Bird Records Committee:

https://www.gbbo.org/nevada-state-checklist


I want to learn more about birds and birding:
Why has Great Basin Birds not been published in recent years?

We had to cease the production of Great Basin Birds, unfortunately, due to the lack of availability of editors who previously worked on a volunteer basis. We are currently working on making all past issues of Great Basin Birds available to the public on our “Publications” page.