The Great Backyard Bird Count is Citizen Science for Everyone

Black-capped Chickadee courtesy of Peter Lewis via Unsplash.

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), happening February 14–17, 2025, is a terrific chance to connect with nature, contribute to bird conservation, and take part in a global citizen science initiative. Whether you're a lifelong birder or exploring birding for the first time, this event is for everyone! Visit birdcount.org for step-by-step instructions on how to participate, birding tips, and downloads for birding apps to help make identifying and counting birds a breeze if you are new to counts.

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, was the first online community science project to collect data on wild birds and display the results in near real-time. Birds Canada joined the effort in 2009, expanding support for participants in Canada, and in 2013, the GBBC went global by integrating with eBird—the world’s largest biodiversity-related community science platform. Today, the GBBC is a collaborative initiative of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada. In 2024, more than 600,000 participants contributed their observations, identifying an incredible 7,920 bird species worldwide. By joining this inter-organizational effort, you’re helping create one of the most comprehensive snapshots of bird populations and trends around the globe!
We’re thrilled to acknowledge Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc., a founding sponsor of the GBBC and a 2025 sponsor of Birdability. Their support makes the GBBC possible and helps ensure birding remains accessible and inclusive for everyone. 

A photo of the Birdability CBC team at Lake Creek Trail in Texas, 2024. Image description: As it rains, two people are birding using wheelchairs, dressed in weather-appropriate clothing, with one person wearing a blue hoodie and gloves, and another covered with a bright yellow rain poncho. Three others are standing, holding umbrellas for rain protection—one person in a wide-brimmed hat looks upward with interest, while another holds a patterned umbrella, watching for birds while seeking some shelter under a wooden pavillion at the park.

New for 2025: Find Community Events Near You!
Explore the new GBBC community event map to find local gatherings near you. These events are a fantastic way to join fellow bird lovers, celebrate birds in your hometown, and enjoy the camaraderie of birding together. Check out the map here to find a community celebration near you.

Learn How to Participate with a Free Webinar
To help you prepare, tune in to one of two free webinars designed to guide you through participating in the GBBC. These sessions will cover everything from identifying birds to submitting your data:

  • Thursday, February 6, 7:00–8:00 PM ET

  • Wednesday, February 12, 3:00–4:00 PM ET
    Register for these engaging sessions at this link and get ready to make the most of the GBBC experience!

A Tufted Titmouse on a backyard feeder in Iowa City, IA partaking of a few of the many seeds provided by Birdability’s Executive Director.

Birding is for Everyone
Backyard (or balcony or local park or out your window… or ANYWHERE)  birding offers a joyful, empowering way to connect with nature and contribute to meaningful science. It’s also a great activity for people with disabilities and health concerns. With a little creativity, you can tailor birding to your access needs—whether it’s setting up feeders near a window, birding from accessible trails, or joining a local event.

As a citizen scientist, your observations make a difference. You’re helping researchers track bird populations, migration trends, and how birds respond to a changing environment. By participating, you ensure that data reflects the full range of birding experiences and abilities.

The Power of Inclusion in Citizen Science
Citizen science thrives on diverse participation, and disabled birders play a critical role in ensuring that data collected reflects a wide range of experiences and environments.

For many, birding is more than just an activity—it’s a source of joy, empowerment, and connection to the natural world. At Birdability, we understand the profound impact birding can have on mental health and well-being, especially for disabled birders. Your contributions to the GBBC matter not just for science but for building a birding community that reflects the diversity of birders and their stories.

Need inspiration or ideas to get started? Check out our blog post, Accessible Joys of Backyard Birding, for tips on tailoring this relaxing activity to your access needs.

This February, your participation can help ensure that the Great Backyard Bird Count is for everyone. You have a role as we support bird conservation and show that inclusive participation strengthens both citizen science and our connection to the natural world. Ready…. Set…. Count!

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