Reading evidence correctly
These answers cover the interpretation mistakes most likely to change what a KoreAves result means. For a step-by-step workflow, start with the Guide; for derivation details, use Methodology.
Frequently asked questions
- Does zero records mean the bird is absent?
- No. It means no eligible record is available in the analyzed dataset for that view. Missing eligible evidence does not establish biological absence.
- Are record counts the number of birds or an abundance estimate?
- No. Record counts describe qualifying source records. They are not individual-bird counts, population estimates, density values or habitat-suitability scores.
- What does a highlighted region on the GIS map mean?
- It means eligible evidence for the selected taxon is documented in that current first-level administrative division. The map uses 17 divisions as an evidence frame; the colored area is not a modeled biological range.
- Does overlap in Compare mean the birds were seen together?
- No. Regional evidence overlap means independently eligible evidence exists for the selected taxa within the same administrative division. It does not establish the same site, time, habitat or biological co-occurrence.
- Why can different sources show different support?
- Providers differ in survey method, sampling coverage, taxonomic treatment and data eligibility. KoreAves preserves source roles and provenance instead of converting unlike datasets into one biological total.
- Why can an English common name be missing?
- In the public release, English common names come from AviList v2025b only when the KBR scientific name matches at the same rank exactly. When no exact same-rank match exists, KoreAves uses the scientific name instead of guessing.
- What do SP and SSP mean?
- SP marks a species-level taxon. SSP marks a recognized subspecies below species level. KoreAves keeps the canonical rank explicit rather than flattening both into one label.
- Can I cite KoreAves?
- Yes. Use the evidence version and preferred citation shown on the Dataset page so the projection you consulted remains identifiable.
- Can I download the original provider records from KoreAves?
- No. KoreAves publishes a derived evidence view, not a bulk mirror of provider records. Use the Source register to reach the original provider and its applicable terms.
- Where do I find the derivation rules behind a claim?
- Use Methodology for canonical identity, evidence eligibility, regional projection, comparison semantics and publication-lane rules. Use Sources & evidence for the support attached to a selected taxon.
- How do I report a correction or contribute a bird photograph?
- Use the Corrections & contributions page. Choose the purpose of the message, include the affected page or taxon when relevant, and submit it through the site. Photograph proposals require you to have taken the photograph or otherwise have authority to grant KoreAves permission to use it. Submissions are reviewed and are not guaranteed to be published; exact sensitive locations are not required.