Christmas Bird Count

In 1900, American ornithologist Frank Chapman asked birders across North America to head out on Christmas Day to count the birds in their home towns and submit the results as the first "Christmas Bird Census." The Christmas Bird Count, as it is now called, is conducted in over 2000 localities across Canada, the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These bird observations,have been amassed into a huge database that reflects the distribution and numbers of winter birds over time.

Christmas Bird Counts are conducted on any one day between December 14 and January 5 inclusive. They are carried out within a 24-km diameter circle that stays the same from year to year. Christmas counts are generally group efforts, though single-observer counts can and do happen. They are organized at the local level, usually by a birding club or naturalists organization.

To participate, look for counts happening near where you live by clicking on Find a Count Near You on the left. That will provide lists of all the counts happening in each province or territory, along with the name and contact information of the compiler (organizer). If you are not a Bird Studies Canada member, there is usually a $5 participation fee.

If you can't find a count near you and are interested in starting one in your local area, contact National Christmas Bird Count Coordinator Dick Cannings at:

Dick Cannings
705 Sunglo Drive,
Penticton, BC, V2A 8X7
250-493-3393
dcannings@birdscanada.org