How we compile our data
Where our wildlife numbers come from
Every figure on a Easy Street Markets wildlife page traces back to a named public dataset. This page lists each source, how we turn it into a number, and what we do when the data is thin or missing.
Last reviewed 2026-06-29.
Our sources
| Source | What it powers |
|---|---|
| iNaturalist Observation data and Creative Commons photos, attributed per record. | Verifiable observation counts, the 12-month sighting distribution, the species census, the live latest-sightings feed, and most page photos. |
| eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Cornell Lab of Ornithology, used with attribution. | Birding hotspots and recent checklist activity used in the plan-your-sighting panels. |
| GBIF Aggregated occurrence records, attributed to GBIF and its publishers. | Historical occurrence totals that back up the presence answer for each animal. |
| NatureServe Explorer NatureServe Explorer, cited on every page that shows a rank. | Conservation status ranks, both global (G) and per US state (S), shown with NatureServe's own definitions. |
| Xeno-canto Each recording keeps its recordist credit and Creative Commons license. | Real, US-recorded bird vocalizations on bird pages, with a spectrogram-grade audio clip. |
| National Park Service Public domain, courtesy of the National Park Service. | Nearby parks, their designations, and on-site activities for trip planning. |
| U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Public domain, courtesy of the USFWS. | Federal protection status for species that carry a listing. |
How each number is calculated
Sighting counts and “are there {animal} in {state}”
We count verifiable iNaturalist observations recorded inside the state boundary. We show the real number even when it is small, because a low count is itself the most honest answer to whether you are likely to see one there. We never round a thin number up to look impressive.
Monthly distribution and best time to see
The month-by-month chart is a histogram of when verifiable observations were logged. We only publish a best-time calendar for a taxon once it clears a 50-observation floor, so the seasonal curve reflects a real pattern rather than a handful of records.
Species census and “{N} types of {animal}”
The count of distinct species is taken straight from iNaturalist's species tally for that taxon and state, filtered to true species. N is never a guess and never the length of a shortened list. When a group spans many species we say so plainly.
Conservation status
We display NatureServe's rounded global (G) and subnational (S) ranks, on a scale from 1 (critically imperiled) to 5 (secure), with NatureServe's plain-language meaning. NatureServe ranks a single species, so for broad groups (an entire owl order, for example) we show no single rank rather than invent one.
Sounds
Bird pages carry US-recorded, quality-A recordings from Xeno-canto for that species or family. Each clip keeps its recordist credit and license, exactly as Xeno-canto requires.
When there is no data
If an animal has not been recorded in a state, we say so. We would rather show an honest “no verified records” than invent a number to fill the space. The same rule holds for conservation status and sound: when a source does not cover a species, that section simply does not appear, instead of guessing.
What we do not do
- No AI-invented statistics. Numbers come from the datasets above, not from a model.
- No fabricated ratings or prices in our structured data.
- No paid placement. Sources are chosen on coverage and reliability, never on payment.
Found something wrong?
Data shifts, and we miss things. If a figure looks off, tell us and we will trace it back to the source. More about who runs this on the author page.