Christmas Bird Count
#ChristmasBirdCount
The Christmas Bird Count is more than just a winter tradition — it’s one of the most important wildlife monitoring efforts in North America. Every year, thousands of volunteers take part in this citizen science initiative to help track bird populations across the continent. Their efforts provide scientists with valuable data that supports bird conservation across Canada and beyond.
The Christmas Bird Count began on December 25, 1900, when American ornithologist Frank M. Chapman proposed a peaceful alternative to the holiday tradition of hunting birds for sport. Instead of shooting birds, he invited people to count them. That first year, 27 bird lovers in North America recorded sightings in 25 locations.
Today, the Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running citizen science project in North America. It takes place every year between December 14 and January 5. More than 50,000 birdwatchers now participate across over 2,500 count areas, known as “circles.” Each circle is 15 miles (24 kilometers) in diameter and surveyed by local teams who count every bird they see or hear.
In Canada, the count is organized by Birds Canada in partnership with the National Audubon Society. It plays a key role in monitoring bird populations across the country, especially in winter when few other surveys are conducted.
The data collected each year builds one of the world’s largest and most detailed wildlife databases. Scientists use this information to track changes in bird numbers and species distribution over time. It helps identify which bird species are in trouble, how climate change is affecting migration patterns, and whether conservation efforts are working.
For example, long-term data from the Christmas Bird Count has shown significant population declines in species like the evening grosbeak and Canada jay. These trends would be harder to detect without the consistent annual records of the count. The results are used by governments, researchers, and conservation groups to guide environmental policies and prioritize actions for species at risk.
Importantly, the Christmas Bird Count is not just for experts. It brings together seasoned birders, first-time participants, families, and community groups. The count is designed so that anyone can help, regardless of experience. Beginners are often paired with more knowledgeable volunteers, making it a learning opportunity as well as a service to science.
While the event takes place during the holidays, it has little to do with celebration and everything to do with long-term commitment to nature. It reminds us that the health of bird populations reflects the overall state of our environment.
By taking part in the Christmas Bird Count, Canadians play a direct role in protecting birds and their habitats. In a time of rapid environmental change, this kind of consistent, grassroots data collection is more valuable than ever.
The Christmas Bird Count shows that everyday people can make a difference in science and conservation. It’s a clear example of how watching birds can help save them.
How to celebrate:
- Participate in the Christmas Bird Count (sign up with Birds Canada)
- Take up birdwatching
- Discourage hunting for pleasure
- Explore bird identification guides
- Create a homemade bird feeder
- Volunteer with conservation organizations
Fun facts
- Bird watching is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities in the United States.
- Bird watching first became popular in Great Britain
- Over 3,500,000 individual birds were counted in Canada in the 2023-2024 bird count
- There are about 10,000 bird species in the world, and about 2000 of which live in North America
- Bird Jays aren’t blue, they contain a brown pigment called melanin, and due to light scattering, our eyes perceive the feathers as blue
- Cardinals mate for life
- The carotenoid pigments from the plants in an American Goldfinch’s diet give it its yellow colour.
- Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
