23 saved#4,168 of 6,224

Great Backyard Bird Count

Join the Great Backyard Bird Count - let's wing it together for the love of our feathered friends! Help us catalog and conserve avian wonders.

Friday

12–15

February 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

Have an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATEFriday to Monday over Presidents Day (4-day weekend)

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYAnimals

SUBCATEGORYBirds

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Our winged friends are chirping for attention on the Great Backyard Bird Count day this February 18! This event took flight in 1998, as a joint project between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. This year and every year, bird watchers of all ages across the globe are welcome to join this citizen-science project that helps to understand the abundance and distribution of birds. So, grab your bird guide, binoculars and let's wing it together! We're counting on you to help us catalog and conserve our beautiful avian wonders. Get ready for a day of fun, feathers and fantastic discoveries!

TIMELINE

Great Backyard Bird Count Timeline

Bird Count Introduction

The Great Backyard Bird Count was initiated as a joint project between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society.

Online Data Submission

The event incorporated online data submission for participants, making it easier to catalog bird sightings from across the globe.

Youth Engagement Program

Efforts were doubled to engage young people, with focus on schools and youth groups to foster interest in birdwatching.

Expanded Global Participation

International participation expanded with over 100 countries participating, significantly broadening data on bird species worldwide.

Inclusion of eBird Platform

Information from the bird count started contributing to the eBird online database, lending to more comprehensive global bird data.

Record Participation Amid Pandemic

Despite the ongoing pandemic, the bird count saw record participation, highlighting its importance for environmental and avian conservation.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Great Backyard Bird Count

Organize a birdwatching group

Connect with your neighbors and friends and form a birdwatching group for the day. This not only makes the event more fun but also will result in more birds being counted.

MAKE

Make homemade birdfeeders

Guide children to make birdfeeders from items like pine cones, peanut butter, and birdseed. Hang them in your backyard. This will attract a variety of birds for the count and also feed them during the winter.

THEME

Theme a family day

Make it a themed family day! Everyone can dress up as their favourite bird, create art inspired by birds, make bird-shaped cookies or snacks, and read bird-related stories or books.

TAKE

Take part in a local event

Many communities organize events around the Great Backyard Bird Count. Join in a guided nature walk, a bird-identification workshop, or even a bird-photography contest.

Share on social media

Document your bird count and birdwatching experience on social media. Share your photos, data, and stories using designated hashtags. This not only spreads awareness about the event but also encourages more participation.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Great Backyard Bird Count

It Encourages Citizen Science

By joining the Great Backyard Bird Count, we become active contributors to vital bird population studies. It gives us a chance to be citizen scientists for a day, participate in a global event and help conservation organisations in collecting valuable data about bird distribution and abundance.

It Makes Us Appreciate Nature

Great Backyard Bird Count Day encourages us to take time out and appreciate the nature around us. This event helps us understand the importance of biodiversity and the role birds play in our ecosystem. It makes us observe and value the different species of birds, their sounds, behaviors and beauty.

Opportunity for Family Bonding

This day provides unique opportunities for learning and fun as a family. From organising birdwatching, crafting birdfeeders to theming a family day around birds, there are many enjoyable activities that can bring families closer together and create beautiful memories.

Related holidays

FRI

Jan 2026

Animals

Big Garden Birdwatch

Join us for the Big Garden Birdwatch - a day to appreciate nature's avian wonders, right from the comfort of your backyard!

Christmas Bird Count Week

Join in the annual tradition of Christmas Bird Count Week and help collect valuable data on bird populations while enjoying the beauty of nature.

National Bird Feeding Month

Join the flock and spread your love for birds this National Bird Feeding Month with our tips, tricks, and bird-friendly products!

World Migratory Bird Day

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day by taking a trip to your local park and enjoy the beauty of nature with our feathered friends!

23Read

FOR MARKETERS & CREATORS

Turn every day into a moment your audience actually shows up for.

8.4M

Monthly readers

5K+

Holidays tracked

Holiday Calendar for Brands Developer API