Yahoo Lifestyle The Great Backyard Bird Count of 2025 is Coming. Are You Ready?
If you love watching or feeding the birds in your neighborhood, the four-day Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is for you! It’s a fun way to learn about the birds in your neck of the woods. But you’ll also be helping scientists track whether there are changes in bird populations and what kinds of birds live in different areas, both in the city and in the country.
Happening this year on February 14 to 17, 2025, the Great Backyard Bird Count is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the National Audubon Society and Birds Canada, with support from Wild Birds Unlimited. It’s been held for more than 20 years, and events are now celebrated worldwide. Last year, more than a half-million people participated, reporting nearly 8,000 species from around the world.
It’s super-simple to take part, even if you don’t know a lot about birds. There are free apps to help you identify the birds you see or hear, and then you simply enter what birds and how many you spot. It’s that easy! It’s something anyone can do, alone or with your kids or friends.
Here’s how to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count on February 14-17, 2025:
Pick a spot to watch birds.
The key word in this event name is backyard—as in you don’t have to go anywhere to participate! So it’s totally fine if you don’t want to leave your warm, cozy perch on the sofa (we're with you on that!) to look out the window for the count. Or you can do it from your back door, front porch, or even apartment balcony. You also can go to a park, nature center, or wilderness area to see and count birds. Or check out the map to find local events during the GBBC where you can participate with other bird lovers or nature groups in your area.
Spend time watching and counting birds.
Plan on spending at least 15 minutes counting (that’s not even the time it takes for one cup of coffee!) on any of the four days, but it’s fine to do it as long as you like. You can also watch just once or multiple times over the four days of the census (February 14-17, 2025).
Identify, count, and submit all the birds you see or hear.
If you don’t know a lot about birds, use the free Merlin Bird ID app. (Trust us, you’ll quickly become addicted!) This app helps you identify birds by sight or sound. Or, if you don’t need help with identifying, you can enter the breeds and number of birds you spot directly through the app’s “Explore” option. There’s also a “Step-by-Step” option that walks you through some basic questions if you need more help identifying your bird.
If you already tracking your bird sightings on the eBird Mobile app, then you are all set. Simply continue to do so during the four days of the event. You also can download a checklist of birds that are found in your area.
If you prefer to enter the information on your laptop or desktop computer, you can go to the eBird website and create a free account. While you’re watching, just jot down your information on a notepad, then enter it on the website later.
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