Queries eBird data via natural language through an MCP Server integrated with Claude chat.
Configuration
View docs{
"mcpServers": {
"birdingkit-ebird-mcp-server": {
"command": "/absolute/path/to/python",
"args": [
"/absolute/path/to/ebird-mcp-server/server.py"
],
"env": {
"EBIRD_API_KEY": "your-ebird-api-key"
}
}
}
}You can access eBird data through an MCP server that connects the eBird API to a conversational interface. This setup lets you ask natural-language questions in Claude and receive bird observation information without leaving the chat window.
You interact with the MCP server through your MCP client. The server responds to natural-language prompts about recent observations, checklists, hotspots, and taxonomy, and it will decide when to query the eBird data. You can start with examples like asking for recent sightings in a location, or for details about a specific checklist or hotspot. When you want to force a query, you can explicitly instruct the client to call the MCP server.
Typical use cases include: querying recent observations by location, listing checklists for a date, getting hotspot lists, and requesting official taxonomy information for a species. Use clear location names and dates when possible to improve result relevance.
Prerequisites you need before installing the MCP server:
- eBird API Key: Create an eBird account and obtain an API key.
- Claude Desktop App: Download and install the Claude Desktop application.
- Python: Ensure Python is installed on your system.
Install the server files and dependencies using the following steps.
# Clone the repository
git clone [email protected]:siansiansu/ebird-mcp-server.git
cd ebird-mcp-server
# Install Python dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txtConfigure Claude Desktop to point at the local MCP server you will run. Create an MCP entry that launches the Python server script with your eBird API key.
{
"mcpServers": {
"ebird_api": {
"command": "/absolute/path/to/python",
"args": [
"/absolute/path/to/ebird-mcp-server/server.py"
],
"env": {
"EBIRD_API_KEY": "your-ebird-api-key"
}
}
}
}Keep your eBird API key secret. Only load it into the MCP server environment in Claude Desktop, and avoid sharing your configuration file. If you rotate keys, update the EBIRD_API_KEY value in the MCP configuration and restart Claude Desktop.
If Claude cannot start the MCP server, verify the following: the command points to your Python executable, the script path to server.py is correct, and EBIRD_API_KEY is set in the environment. Check that the MCP server process starts without errors and that Claude Desktop shows an active MCP server connection.
This MCP server integrates eBird data into Claude via a simple, local runtime. You can extend prompts or adjust the configuration to fit your hunting grounds or birding interests as needed.
Environment variables shown in the example are included in the MCP configuration and must be provided for the server to access eBird data.
Common prompts you can use once the server is running include: querying recent observations in a location, checking for notable records, listing hotspots nearby, and retrieving taxonomy data for a species.