Got 15 minutes and a pair of binoculars? If so, you could contribute to one of the world's largest citizen science projects: the Great Backyard Bird Count!
During this worldwide event held every February, thousands of volunteers take a moment to stop, look, and listen for birds for at least 15 minutes, recording their observations in a global online database. Although something as simple as counting crows may seem "for the birds," citizen science projects like the Great Backyard Bird Count provide ornithologists (bird scientists) with incredibly useful insight into birds' pre-migration habits and the overall health of wild bird populations.
Started in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University and the National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was one of the first large-scale, online citizen science efforts. A little over 10 years later, Birds Canada joined the cause to help expand the project in Canada. Today, the three organizations coordinate to host the Count, with events organized in communities around the world. See what's happening near you!
To participate, all you need to do is observe, identify, and count the birds around you for a period of 15 minutes or more between February 14 and February 17, 2025. That's it!
Sightings can be recorded online through Cornell Lab's free eBird and Merlin apps. (See the step-by-step process for recording your sightings here.) Merlin is great for beginning birders and can help you identify birds that you spot or hear, while eBird is recommended for birders with more experience or who have participated in the past.
Citizen science refers to the coordinated efforts of members of the public to participate in scientific research. Citizen science projects range from assessing the water quality of rivers to reporting on populations of invasive species, but no matter the cause, they produce vital data! It's also a great way to meet like-minded neighbors, get outdoors, and contribute to something greater.
While observations of birds are always of interest to scientists, with the increasing prevalence of avian influenza—also known as H5N1 or bird flu—it's now even more important to report sightings of sick or dead birds. If you do encounter dead birds, do not interact with them (and keep curious pets away) and report your sightings to local or state health and wildlife agencies.
If you live in the United States, here's a PDF with more information about finding your local reporting agency.
The Great Backyard Bird Count presents the perfect opportunity for us all to practice a little citizen science and monitor the health of critical wild bird populations. Plus, it's a great excuse to learn more about birds!
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