Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count is for kids!

The Great Backyard Bird Count (or GBBC) is an event that takes place over 4 days in February each year. It's very easy! All you have to do is watch birds in your yard, a nearby park, or maybe at your school. Then you tell us what you saw by entering your bird list online. We collect that information from people all over the United States and Canada so scientists can learn what kind of birds are being seen in the winter and whether there are more or fewer of them than before. Learn more about how to participate.

You'll have more fun taking part in the Great Backyard Bird Count if you first learn about the birds you're most likely to see. We have some fun ways for you to become familiar with birds.

The Birds You'll See

During each GBBC we keep track of the most common birds reported and the types of birds that are reported in the greatest number. Go here to see pictures of these birds. When you click on each picture you'll get more images and information about the bird and you will also be able to hear what it sounds like. Have you seen any of these birds in your yard? To find out about lots of others birds, visit our online bird guide. You can also get a checklist of birds that live in your state or province.

                           Take a Bird Quiz           

To help you learn more about birds, we have a brand new video quiz! If you get stuck during this Bird Brain Challenge, just click on a button to get a helpful clue. Good luck!        
 

Words about Birds

Now that you know a bit more about birds, print out the the special GBBC word seek puzzle we made just for you and see how many words about birds you can find!              

                   Color the Birds

We have some birds for you to color! Go here to print out coloring sheets for six kinds of birds. Each one has cool facts about the bird and tips that will help you identify it.

Go Digging for Bird Facts

Every year during the Great Backyard Bird Count, people send us tons of information about what birds they are seeing. We keep all this information and put it online so you can explore. See if you can find answers to the following questions by exploring the GBBC data from the past 9 years using the "Explore the Results" page.

1) In 7 of the last 9 years, New York state has submitted the highest number of checklists. Which two states beat New York in which two years? Start searching here.
Hint: Look for the Top Ten lists.
ANSWER

2) Which community in your state or province sent in the highest number of checklists in 2006? Start searching here.
Hint: Find your state or province under "State Tallies" and scroll to the bottom of the page.
ANSWER

3) Find all the states and provinces where a Snowy Owl was reported in the 2006 GBBC. Start searching here.
Hint: Look under "Detailed Reports" and search for the species.
ANSWER

4) Which species of bird was reported in the greatest number in your state or province during the 2006 GBBC? Start searching here.
Hint: Go to "State Tallies" and click on "Number of Birds" in your state or province to get the list in order.
ANSWER

5) Now we want you to compare maps for two species from the 2006 GBBC: the Blue Jay and the Steller's Jay. Look at the maps of North America side by side. Which jay appears mostly in the west? Which one is mostly found in the east? Start searching here.
Hint: You need to go into the map room for this one, and click the tab for "Compare Two Maps."
ANSWER

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes during February 16–19, 2007. You can count each day or just some of the days and you can count in different places. Just be sure to keep a separate list of birds for each day and each location.

2. For each type of bird you see, count the most you see at any one time. For example, maybe you see two chickadees when you start watching, then five chickadees a few minutes later. The number you put on your list for chickadees is five. Do not add two plus five. (That way you won't accidentally count the same bird twice.)

3. Enter your results on the Great Backyard Bird Count web site! Then watch the maps as more and more people enter their reports.

That's it! Now get ready to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count because when it comes to watching birds, kids count!

Note to educators: for downloadable classroom materials, please visit Audubon Mississippi.

Photo credits, top to bottom: girl with binoculars © Audubon/CLO/ Paul Green; child in yellow shirt ©iStockphoto.com/Cliff Parnell; child with open mouth ©iStockphoto.com/Rob Friedman; boy with binoculars ©iStockphoto.com/Maartje van Caspel.