The Christmas Bird Count

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the world’s longest-running citizen science project. People of all ages and birding experience levels count birds that they see on the count date(s), then the data is compiled and used to measure changes in the environment and in bird populations throughout the continent. This information paints a clear picture of bird distribution and abundance, and in the case of the publication, aids in the understanding of the urgency of bird conservation.

The success of the Christmas Bird Count and the availability of this data relies on people like you!

During the CBC, we ask that you tally the birds within the count circle surrounding your area(s). Participation is free and experience is not necessary. New birdwatchers can be teamed up with experienced birdwatchers. We are happy to suggest areas near your home in which to participate. Counting birds at feeders is also an important part of this count, so you don’t even have to leave your home if you prefer not to. There are kids’ Christmas Bird Count programs too. Visit our Publications & Reports page to read about past counts.

Check out the map above to find a count near you. Green and yellow circles are open for new participants, and red circles are full.

How to count birds at a feeder

Thank you for your interest in participating as a Feeder Watcher for the Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The data you collect will help to broaden our understanding of winter bird habits. The goal of the CBC is to census every bird within a pre-defined, 15-mile diameter circle over a 24-hour period. The Feeder Watch portion of the CBC aims to determine the highest number of individuals of each species seen on the bird feeders in your yard. Download a count tracker.

To be a Feeder Watcher, you must meet the following criteria:

Your bird feeder/yard must be located within the a designated CBC circle. Review this map to confirm that your planned Feeder Watch location is within a count circle. Unfortunately, we cannot use data from feeders located outside the count circle, but observations would still be valuable to eBird.
You may only count birds at your feeder on the day of the bird count in your circle.

Tips for identifying birds

Cornell Lab of Ornithology has several ID resources available through its Project FeederWatch program. Audubon also offers a free mobile app for bird ID.

Tips for counting birds

When counting at a bird feeder, record only the highest number of birds per species seen at any given time.

Here is an example of how to eliminate the possibility of counting the same individual bird repeatedly:

If there are two Blue Jays at your feeder, note those two Jays for your count. The birds will fly away and a single Blue Jay may land later. Do not add this ‘new’ Jay to your count because it may be one of the same Jays from earlier. The only way that the number of Jays counted could increase would be if more than two Blue Jays (3+) landed at the same time at your feeder. Please follow this rule for each species that you see at your feeders.

Submitting count numbers using eBird

Feeder Watch observations may be recorded using eBird if you are already familiar with the service. You must create a new list each time you start observing your feeder and stop the list each time you finish observing. All lists created must then be shared with the group set up by your Count Circle Leader, following the instructions on the eBird website.

Submitting count numbers using the datasheet

The datasheet on the second page of the count tracker can be used instead of eBird by filling out the following information:

Observers: The name of all people that took part in your Feeder Watch count.
Feeder location: The physical address of the feeder(s) being observed.
Time: The total number of hours (to the nearest quarter) spent observing your feeders.
Species: Select the correct species from the list of most common backyard birds.
Number: Using the instructions above, record the maximum number of each species at one time.