All persons in a team must remain within normal voice contact of each other. If this is not possible, a timeout must be called. Birds seen during a timeout cannot be counted, even if the spotter calls time in and re-gathers the team.
95% of the birds included on each team’s final list must have been positively identified by all team members. Voice identification is acceptable.
Birds are not to be harassed. An "ethical tick" should be employed in the case of nesting birds—if the location of a nest is known, the team may count the bird if team members go no closer than 100 yards (500 yards for raptors).
There is to be no solicitation of information on birds or bird locations between competing teams.
Team members should begin and end the day together. No one may join a team at a later time of day. This is meant to eliminate the possibility of scouting ahead on the day of the birdathon.
Bird species that have not established themselves in the United States are not to be counted. This is meant to eliminate birds that may have been released or come from aviaries.
Birds may be counted anytime in the 24 hours between 8:00pm on May 14th and 8:00pm on May15th.
These rules are to be read to team members prior to the start of the birdathon.