Eventually it happens: a species you haven't seen before appears in your yard, and you have to ask, "Is this unusual for my area?" You can use eBird to find out! You can explore all observations that were submitted by bird watchers across the continent, creating a map that shows all locations where a species has been reported. Then you can contribute your observation to this map, helping show where each species is, and where it isn't.

The Eurasian Collared-Dove, a nonnative species that first appeared in North America in the 1980s, is a perfect example. Ever since their introduction in Florida they've been steadily spreading north and west, arriving in backyards and local parks as far west as Nebraska, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Should one arrive in your neighborhood, you can use eBird to discover if they've been reported in your area, and if so, how quickly their numbers are increasing. Tracking the pattern of their expansion can be effectively monitored through eBird.

As shown by this map, created using observations submitted to eBird, Eurasian Collared-Doves have dramatically expanded their range north and west across the United States since their introduction. Where will they arrive next?