Help Scientists Understand What is Happening with Our Bird Populations

Become a Citizen Scientist!

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world contribute bird observations to scientists each year. This information is used to reveal how birds are affected by habitat loss, pollution, disease, climate, and other environmental changes. 

Your participation will help scientists trace bird migration, nesting success, and changes in bird numbers through time. These insights inform conservation plans and key actions to protect birds and habitats.

If you enjoy watching birds, contribute your passion to help science and conservation, whether by watching birds at your feeders, monitoring nests, or sharing your sightings any time, anywhere.

eBird

Keep track of your bird sightings and contribute to worldwide data for birding, science, and conservation. Explore maps, charts, photos, and more. 

NestWatch

Help measure nature’s success. Learn how to find and monitor bird nests, then record data on species, eggs, and young. Your contributions help scientists understand how climate change, urbanization, and land use affect breeding birds. Learn How.

Project FeederWatch

Count birds at your feeders from November through April. Your observations help scientists monitor changes in the abundance and distribution of birds, including the influence of changes in habitat, disease, and climate. Learn How.

Great Backyard Bird Count

Help create a real-time snapshot of birds around the world on the second weekend in February. Count birds for at least 15 minutes at any location you choose on one or more days of the count. Put Your Birds On the Map.

Merlin App

All About Bird's Merlin App helps you id your backyard birds

SciStarter

SciStarter helps bring together the millions of citizen scientists in the world; the thousands of potential projects offered by researchers, organizations, and companies; and the resources, products, and services that enable citizens to pursue and enjoy these activities. They aim to:
• Enable and encourage people to learn about, participate in, and contribute to science through both informal recreational activities and formal research efforts.
• Inspire greater appreciation and promote a better understanding of science and technology among the general public.
• Create a shared space where scientists can talk with citizens interested in working on or learning about their research projects.
• Satisfy the popular urge to tinker, build, and explore by making it simple and fun for people—singles, parents, grandparents, kids—to jump in and get their hands dirty with science.

iNaturalist

One of the world’s most popular nature apps, iNaturalist helps you identify the plants and animals around you. Get connected with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature! What’s more, by recording and sharing your observations, you’ll create research quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature. iNaturalist is a joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society.