800,000 Bird Lovers Join Global Count This February

Grab your binoculars and your kids for a weekend activity that helps both your mental health and the planet.

The Great Backyard Bird Count returns February 13-16, 2026, inviting people everywhere to spend at least 15 minutes spotting feathered friends. Whether you watch from your apartment balcony, local park, or backyard, your observations contribute to vital conservation research.

Last year's count drew more than 800,000 participants from nearly every country on Earth. Together, they identified 8,078 bird species, 158 more than the previous year.

The event requires no special expertise. Families simply download the free Merlin Bird ID app or eBird app, then count and identify whatever birds they see. The data gets combined with other bird counts throughout the year to help scientists understand which species are thriving and which need protection.

"What I like most about birdwatching is that each species has its own behavior," said participant Guadalupe Angel Vallejo Tapia. "It's fascinating to be able to identify its patterns and learn about its behavior."

Free webinars on February 5th at 3 p.m. Eastern and February 11th at 7 p.m. Eastern will teach newcomers how to participate. The sessions stream on YouTube and cover everything from bird identification basics to using the apps.

Now in its 29th year, the count helps researchers track how habitat loss and climate change affect bird populations worldwide. Ben Haywood, Audubon's director of community science, notes that these citizen observations inform conservation efforts that protect both birds and their habitats.

The Ripple Effect

Every 15-minute counting session adds to a massive global database that helps scientists spot trends they'd never see otherwise. When thousands of people watch birds in their own neighborhoods on the same weekend, researchers get a snapshot of bird health across entire continents.

The observations have already influenced conservation decisions, helping direct resources to areas where specific species need the most support. One person watching chickadees at their feeder becomes part of a worldwide network protecting biodiversity.

Getting started is simple. Visit birdcount.org to register, download the free apps, and find local birding groups through the community map. You can count solo or organize a group outing with friends and neighbors.

Nature gives us so much, and this February, giving back takes just a quarter of an hour.