Big Year Guidelines

​The guidelines are: 

1. The Big Year runs for one calendar year from 1 January - 31 December (unless specifically stated otherwise by the Big Year birder).

2. All birds must be free, wild and in valid, self-propagating populations.

3. International Ornithological Committee (IOC) taxonomy is used. Currently, Western Whistler and Campbell Albatross are both considered separate species by the IOC and are therefore included. 

4. "Feral" species included are Mallard (non-domestic), Indian Peafowl (Kangaroo Island), Wild Turkey (Kangaroo Island), African Collared-Dove (Adelaide metropolitan and other key locations).  

5. "Feral" species not included are Common Ostrich (non-viable population), plus other escapee species not yet established in Australia (e.g. Alexandrine Parakeet)

6. Totals are based on IOC taxonomy at the time of the Big Year. Subsequent splits or lumps of species will not affect the total.  

7. All birds must be seen. If "heard only" birds are included, then the number of "heard only" species must be listed as well - e.g. 347 * (342 species seen, 5 heard).

8. All species must be seen within the boundaries of South Australia (even if the birder is outside the boundary). 

9. Photographs of species is not required, but rare or unusual sightings should be accompanied by either a photo and/or detailed field notes. 

10. Ethical use of callback recordings is permitted, but birders MUST keep in mind that the well-being of the bird takes precedence over any list or photograph.

11. Have fun!