What is the Christmas Bird Count?
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a hemispheric community science program with more than a century of history behind it—and it’s the longest-running bird monitoring project in the world. Started in 1900 as a conservation-minded alternative to holiday bird hunting, the CBC brings people together to count birds rather than shoot them, helping build one of the most important long-term wildlife datasets we have today.
Each winter, thousands of volunteers across the U.S., Canada (in partnership with Birds Canada), and more than 20 countries throughout the Western Hemisphere head outdoors to count birds within their local count areas. These counts provide critical data that Audubon and scientists use year-round to understand bird population trends, habitat needs, and the impacts of climate change.
When does it happen?
The Christmas Bird Count takes place every year between December 14 and January 5. Each count circle selects one calendar day within that window, and all birding for that circle happens on that single day.
How Does Participation Work?
Each CBC is organized within an established 15-mile diameter circle, led by a volunteer count compiler. Participants follow assigned routes within the circle and count every bird they see or hear over the course of the day. It’s not just about which species are present—every individual bird is counted, helping create a snapshot of bird abundance on that day.
Birders of all experience levels are welcome. Beginners are typically paired with more experienced birders, making it a great way to learn and connect with others. If your home falls within a CBC circle, you can even participate from home by counting birds at your feeder, as long as you arrange this in advance with the compiler.
Is There a Cost?
Participation is free! Volunteers provide their own transportation, binoculars (if available), and weather-appropriate clothing
Why is it important?
CBC data have been used for decades in peer-reviewed research, conservation planning, and government reports. Because the count has been running for over 120 years, it provides an unmatched long-term record of how bird populations are changing—making it a cornerstone of modern bird conservation.
Want Another Way to Get Involved?
If winter birding for a full day isn’t your thing, you might enjoy the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) (Unfortunately, this does not involve a Paul Hollywood Handshake) held each February over Presidents’ Day weekend. Organized by Audubon, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Birds Canada, the GBBC lets you count birds from your backyard or neighborhood and submit observations online.
