Audubon Christmas Bird Count
TAKE PART in a volunteer bird census as a field counter or a feeder counter.
01 ¡ How to take part
Your way in
Find a local count circle with the circle finder, register for it, and join a field group or count the birds at a feeder.
Join a count circle
Find a local count circle, register with its organiser, and count birds in a field group or from your own feeder inside the circle on its count day. All skill levels are welcome.
- You build or use
- TAKE PART in a volunteer bird census as a field counter or a feeder counter
- Participation
- Team entry (join a count)
- Entry and deadlines
- Free and open to all skill levels; register with a circle; many counts have equipment to borrow
- Where
- Local count circles across the Americas, USA / Canada / Latin America and the Caribbean
02 ¡ Dates
Dates and deadlines, Jan 2026 to Dec 2027
Usual timing: 14 Dec-5 Jan each year. Dates are only shown where a source publishes them; everything else is marked TBC.
- 14 Dec 2026â5 Jan 2027Christmas Bird Count 2026-27: count window (each circle picks its day)Audubon: counts run 14 Dec to 5 Jan each year; each circle sets its count day. ¡ source
03 ¡ Skills you'll need
Skills you'll need
What to learn and practise before you go. Each resource is marked Official or Community-accepted and names its publisher. Difficulty and prep time are our estimate.
Identifying local birds by sight and sound
Also useful:
- Counting and recording numbers in a set area and time
- Feeder watching: a stationary count from a feeder or park
Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures.
Refresher
- Counts run between 14 Dec and 5 Jan each year; each circle picks its own count day, and counting must fit within a 24-hour period.
- You can join a walking field group or do a stationary feeder count: no binoculars or hiking needed for feeder counts.
- Participation is free and open to any skill level; beginners are welcome.
- Many counts have binoculars and other items you can borrow.
- In Canada, Audubon partners with Birds Canada, which coordinates counts there.
Practise before you go
- Browse Audubon's bird guide for the common birds of your area.
- Spend an hour at a feeder or park noting species and numbers.
- Read the feeder-watching quick start guide on the join page.
Safety notes
- Dress for winter weather and bring water and snacks.
- Stay with your field group and follow the leader's directions.
- Respect private property when counting.
Resources
Join the Christmas Bird Count
Field and feeder counts, count window and the circle finder.
Publisher: National Audubon Society (organiser)
Exciting changes coming soon
Audubon says new tools for this year's count are being developed.
Publisher: National Audubon Society (organiser)
Audubon bird guide
Species profiles to help you learn local birds.
Publisher: National Audubon Society (organiser)
04 ¡ Check before you go
What we could and couldn't confirm
Before you book
- The count window is 14 Dec-5 Jan; each circle chooses its own count day.
- Audubon says it is developing new tools for this year's count, so the circle finder may not show 2026-27 counts yet.
- Participation is free; many circles have binoculars to borrow.
- Costs are not listed on Nomad. Check them, and the latest dates, on the official site.
05 ¡ Links
Official and source links
All links open in a new tab. Every fact on this page is logged in sources.md.
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