The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It's free, fun, and easy-and it helps the birds."

Personal tools

 

Sponsors
Wild Birds Unlimited

Cornell Information Technologies

National Resources Conservation Service

National Science Foundation

 

 

How to Participate

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Canada Geese, Martin Williams, BC, 2012 GBBC

The 2013 GBBC takes place February 15 through February 18.

 It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Create a GBBC account. (During the count, click "Submit Your Bird Checklist" at the top of this page.) Beginning in 2013, the GBBC will be integrated with eBird--a worldwide bird data collection program used for keeping track of your personal bird records and bird lists. The change means you must create a free GBBC account in order to enter your bird checklists, even if you have participated in the GBBC before. It also means you will be able to access all your GBBC observations and eBird observations under a single account. If you're already registered with eBird or another Cornell Lab citizen-science project, you can use the same login information.

2. Count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC. You can count for longer than that if you wish! Count birds in as many places and on as many days as you like—one day, two days, or all four days. Submit a separate checklist for each new day. You can also submit more than one checklist per day for each new location or even from the same location. Estimate the number of individuals of each species you saw during your count period.

3. Enter your results on the GBBC website by clicking "Submit Your Bird Checklist" at the top of this page. See our downloadable instructions below for additional details on entering your checklists. If you already use eBird, please continue using eBird to submit your sightings but be sure to enter at least one checklist during the GBBC weekend!

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  Brown Pelican, Pamela Blizzard, FL
  2012 GBBC
 

Other tools and information:

• 2013 downloadable instructions (PDF)


• FAQs section--Updated to include information about creating a GBBC account and how to enter your data.

• GBBC Photo Contest rules

• GBBC participation certificate--Certificates for 2013 will be available when the GBBC begins.

• PowerPoint slideshow and video--2013 versions now available

• Local events--Tell us what you're planning in your community for the next GBBC.

• How to promote the GBBC--You can be a GBBC ambassador in your community.

• Educator's materials--If you're looking to get your class or homeschooler involved with the GBBC, you’ll find some ideas here.

• Learn About Birds--If you're new to bird watching, you might want to check out this section of the website for help with tricky bird identifications, choosing binoculars, bird feeding tips, and much more.

To get a printable checklist of species for your area in the United States and Canada, click here.