topic Re: Using eBird Abundance Raster Data in ArcGIS Pro in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Using eBird Abundance Raster Data in ArcGIS Pro

AnnaWillig — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:32:12 GMT

Hello,

I want to make a map using the Bobolink abundance raster data downloaded from eBird (https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/boboli/abundance-map?week=1&season=breeding). I was able to download this file as a .tif and upload it to ArcGIS Pro (3.5.3). However, I am having trouble projecting this data into the correct coordinate system and cannot figure out what coordinate system I should use. My map is in WGS 1984 Web Mercator (auxiliary sphere). When I upload the file, I get an unknown coordinate system warning, and the file is clearly not in the same projection as the map (see screenshot). I have tried to define the coordinate system and project raster tools, but since I do not know the original coordinate system, these tools do not solve the problem. How do I determine what coordinate system to use?

I am not terribly familiar with managing coordinate systems or with using raster data, so any advice is appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Anna

Re: Using eBird Abundance Raster Data in ArcGIS Pro

Robert_LeClair — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:09:07 GMT

I don't have a login into the Bobolink website unfortunately. Do you happen to know what the projection is for the downloaded raster dataset?

Re: Using eBird Abundance Raster Data in ArcGIS Pro

DanPatterson — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 23:04:29 GMT

from FAQ - eBird Science

We have transitioned to a new 3 km X 3 km prediction grid in the widely accepted Equal Earth equal area projection.

Equal Earth Wall Map - Projection

but I can't test either

Re: Using eBird Abundance Raster Data in ArcGIS Pro

Robert_LeClair — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:04:25 GMT

Based on Dan's response, maybe the defined coordinate system for your raster is incorrect. You could test this thought by running the Define Projection (Data Management)—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation and rewrite the projection file. Then bring the raster dataset back into a Map View and see if it projects on the fly correctly.