The count is held each February over President's day Weekend in the United States and Family Weekend in Canada.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event during which bird watchers count birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are located around the world.
Scientists and bird enthusiasts can learn a lot by knowing where birds are. No single scientist or team of scientists could hope to document the complex distribution and movements of so many species in such a short time.
Anyone, from beginning bird watchers to experts, can participate in the The Great Backyard Bird Count. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like during each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy, and it helps the birds. In addition, yearly data collection makes the information more meaningful and allows scientists to investigate far-reaching questions.
Hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada.