If you want to change the portal on your eBird account, there are a few simple steps you can take. The portal allows you to view your eBird data and manage your account settings. You may want to switch portals if you move to a new region or country, or have another reason to change the primary portal for your account.
Why Would I Want to Change Portals?
Here are some common reasons you may want to change the portal for your eBird account:
- You are moving to a new region or country – Each regional portal is focused on the birds and birding locations relevant to that geographic area. Switching to your new local portal will make your eBird experience more tailored.
- You want to separate regional lists – Managing separate portals for different regions can help you keep your bird lists independent.
- You want to start using a new regional portal – There are now many regional portals around the world, and you may want to start using a portal that wasn’t available when you first signed up.
- You primarily bird in multiple regions – You can switch back and forth between portals to better manage checklists and data across regions.
Changing portals allows you to customize your eBird experience to match how and where you birdwatch. It only takes a few minutes to update, while still preserving all of your existing data.
How to Change Portals
Follow these simple steps to change the portal on your eBird account:
- Log in to your eBird account and go to the Account home page.
- On the left sidebar menu, click on “Change Portal.”
- You will see a list of available regional portals. Select your desired new portal from the list.
- Confirm that you want to change to the new portal.
It’s that easy! Your account will now be associated with the new regional portal. All of your existing data, lists, and account details will remain the same.
When Does the Change Take Effect?
The portal change takes effect immediately after you confirm the change on the eBird website. You will see the new portal loaded on the website right away.
You may need to refresh your eBird mobile app or clear cached data for the update to show on the mobile platforms. The next time you open the mobile apps, they will sync with the new portal.
Can I Switch Back to My Previous Portal?
Yes, you can easily switch your eBird account back to a previous portal at any time. Just repeat the steps above to change portals and select your prior portal from the list again.
You can change portals as often as you like. All of your data will remain accessible through either portal, since it is tied to your eBird account rather than any specific portal.
Will My Data Be Impacted?
Rest assured, all of your existing eBird data will remain completely intact when you change portals. This includes:
- Your life, year, and other lists
- All of your complete checklists
- Your account profile information
- Friends, alerts, needs, and news settings
- Any data entry shortcuts you have configured
The only thing that changes is the regional perspective of the portal itself. For example, changing from eBird Canada to eBird U.S. will change the “Explore Data” summaries and filters to be focused on U.S. rather than Canadian data. But all of your personal data remains the same.
Will Changing Portals Affect My Subscriptions?
If you have a paid eBird subscription attached to your account, it will remain active regardless of which portal you switch to. Any subscription-only features will continue working through the new portal.
The only exception is with regional subscriptions. For example, if you have an eBird Canada subscription, this would no longer apply if you switch to the eBird U.S. portal. You would need to purchase an eBird U.S. subscription separately.
Can I Merge Data from Different Portals?
eBird does not currently support merging data across regional portals. Your existing data will always stay associated with the portal it originated from.
The best way to manage data from different regions is to switch back and forth between the relevant portals. All of your historical data will be accessible through each portal, it just gets filtered based on the current portal setting.
Tips for Switching Portals
Here are some helpful tips for smoothly transitioning your eBird account to a new portal:
- Double check you’ve entered and submitted all recent data from your old portal before switching.
- Review your alerts, needs, and friends lists. You may want to recreate these for the new region.
- Consider creating separate accounts for different regions if you don’t want combined data.
- Use the “Change Region” option when entering new checklists to assign the right portal.
- Add shortcuts and filters tailored to your new portal for easier data entry.
Get Help Changing Portals
Changing eBird portals is designed to be simple and straightforward. But if you need any help with the process, here are some support options:
- Check the eBird frequently asked questions for portal change guidance.
- Post in the eBird portal-specific community forums for advice.
- Use the “Contact Us” link on the eBird website for support.
- Reach out to your local birding organizations for tips.
With a few clicks, you can access a whole new regional eBird experience and still maintain all your valuable bird data. Change portals anytime your birding activity shifts to a new area or geography.
Conclusion
Changing the portal on your eBird account is a simple process that allows you to customize your experience to match where you birdwatch. With just a few steps, you can select a new regional portal and immediately see it reflected across the eBird platforms.
The key things to remember are:
- All of your existing data remains intact when changing portals.
- You can switch portals back and forth as often as needed.
- Refresh your mobile apps to sync them with the new portal.
- Paid subscriptions don’t change, only regional subscriptions.
- Tailor your settings like alerts and filters to your new portal.
So don’t be afraid to change your eBird portal if your birding activity shifts. It’s an easy way to optimize your eBird experience!