The 125th annual Christmas Bird Count is just around the corner, taking place from December 14th through January 5th, 2025! This long-running, large-scale citizen science event spans all across North and South America, engaging people of all ages and experience levels to contribute valuable data on bird populations. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or brand new to the hobby, you can participate by following step-by-step instructions on the Audubon website, where you’ll also find a map of locations where events are being held.  

What is happening to birds? 

If you look closely, the birds in your yard today likely differ from those you might see in June—and perhaps even from those that visited 20 years ago. Bird species in each area change over time due to various factors, including seasonal migrations, habitat alterations, and long-term climate impacts. The Christmas Bird Count plays a key role in tracking these changes, offering scientists and conservationists vital insights into how bird populations are shifting over both short and long timeframes. 

Why does the Christmas Bird Count matter? 

The Christmas Bird Count has deep historical roots. In 1900, the focus shifted from the Christmas “Side Hunt”—an invasive event focused on hunting birds and other wildlife—to the Christmas Bird Count, which uses non-invasive techniques to record and monitor bird species instead. Today, this count is one of the most important tools for scientists to engage the public in meaningful conservation work. Through this community science effort, scientists have highlighted species at risk, detected shifts in bird ranges, and documented trends of declining populations. On the flip side, data from the Christmas Bird Count has also revealed species that are thriving in urban environments or expanding their populations.  

How you can participate and make a difference! 

If you’d like to join in this year, start by brushing up on basic bird identification skills. Learning to recognize diagnostic characteristics, or field marks, can help you distinguish between species in the field. Apps and resources like the Merlin Bird ID guide are excellent for beginners, offering accessible tools to familiarize yourself with common bird species. Once you feel confident, try testing your knowledge with an online quiz from eBird to refine your skills and further contribute to citizen science. Whether you’re observing solo, with friends, or as part of a local birdwatching group, your participation in the Christmas Bird Count makes a meaningful contribution to bird conservation and research.

Get ready to grab your binoculars and head outdoors for this winter’s Christmas Bird Count—it’s a wonderful opportunity to contribute to science, connect with nature, and deepen your understanding of bird life across the Americas! 

Information from Audubon, American Bird Conservancy, and Avibirds. Identification image by Charles Ripper at Cornell Lab, cover image by Levi Hoskins – PhD Student at the University of Florida.