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Using eBird Abundance Raster Data in ArcGIS Pro

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03-17-2026 11:32 AM
AnnaWillig
New Contributor

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

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3 Replies
Robert_LeClair
Esri Esteemed Contributor

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?

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DanPatterson
MVP Esteemed Contributor

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


... sort of retired...
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Robert_LeClair
Esri Esteemed Contributor

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.

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