National Day

Christmas Bird Count Week

Celebrated on 01/05/2026

Quick Fact

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the longest-running community science bird project in the United States, started in 1900 as an alternative to the traditional Christmas 'Side Hunt,' where teams competed to shoot the most birds. Today, over 80,000 volunteers across the Americas participate each year, collecting data that is crucial for monitoring bird populations and informing conservation efforts.

Origins and Establishment of Christmas Bird Count Week

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was initiated by ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer of the newly formed Audubon Society, in 1900. Chapman proposed a new holiday tradition: instead of the annual Christmas 'Side Hunt,' where teams competed to shoot as many birds and small mammals as possible, participants would count and identify birds. The first count took place on Christmas Day 1900, with 27 observers in 25 locations across the United States and Canada, tallying about 90 species. This shift from hunting to conservation marked a pivotal moment in the early conservation movement.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

The CBC has grown exponentially since its inception. By the mid-20th century, the count expanded to include more locations and participants, and in the 1970s, it evolved into a three-week event (December 14 to January 5) to accommodate varying weather and volunteer availability, officially becoming 'Christmas Bird Count Week.' Today, over 2,500 count circles are conducted annually across the Americas, with more than 80,000 volunteers. The data collected is used by scientists, conservationists, and policymakers to track long-term trends in bird populations, assess the health of ecosystems, and guide conservation strategies. Modern participation often includes birding apps, online data submission, and community events, making it a cornerstone of citizen science.

Facts & General Observations

  • The longest-running CBC circle is in Audubon, Pennsylvania, which has been conducted every year since 1900.
  • In the 2022-2023 count, volunteers recorded over 2,500 species, including 1,400 in the United States and Canada alone.
  • The CBC has contributed to key conservation actions, such as the protection of the Bald Eagle and the establishment of Important Bird Areas (IBAs).

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