Become a Scientist for a Weekend: The Great Backyard Bird Count


Ever look out your window and wonder exactly which feathered friend is snacking on your feeder? Or perhaps you’ve noticed a flash of red in the trees and wished you could contribute more to nature than just a "wow."

Enter the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)—an annual global event that turns casual birdwatchers into vital citizen scientists. Whether you’re a pro with a $2,000 lens or someone who just thinks ducks are neat, this is your chance to help protect bird populations worldwide.

What is the GBBC?

Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the GBBC was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and display results in near real-time.

Now, every February, hundreds of thousands of people across the globe spend a few days counting birds. This "snapshot" helps researchers track:

  • Migration patterns: Are birds arriving earlier due to warmer winters?

  • Population shifts: Which species are thriving and which are in decline?

  • Irruptions: Why are certain northern birds suddenly showing up in the south?

How to Participate (It’s Easier Than You Think)

You don’t need to hike deep into a forest or own a pair of high-tech binoculars. Participation is as simple as 1-2-3:

  1. Watch birds for at least 15 minutes: You can do this once or several times over the four-day event. You can be in your backyard, a local park, or even looking out a window at work.

  2. Identify what you see: Count the highest number of each species you see at any one time. Not sure if that’s a Downy or a Hairy Woodpecker? Apps like Merlin Bird ID can help you figure it out in seconds.

  3. Share your findings: Enter your list via the eBird app or website. Your data joins a massive global database used by scientists to monitor bird health.

Why Your 15 Minutes Matter

In the last 50 years, North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds. That’s a staggering number, but data is the first step toward conservation. When you report a single Northern Cardinal or a flock of Canada Geese, you’re providing a data point that helps experts understand how climate change and habitat loss are affecting biodiversity.

Pro Tip: If you're counting a large flock, don't try to count every single wing beat. Estimate in groups of 5 or 10 to get a "good enough" total for the researchers.

Make it a Weekend Event

The GBBC is a fantastic way to disconnect from screens and reconnect with the rhythm of the season. Grab a thermos of coffee, a field guide, and maybe involve the kids. It’s a low-stakes, high-reward way to contribute to the planet.

The next Great Backyard Bird Count takes place every February. Will you be watching?

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