Great Backyard Bird Count 2025

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Mega Link: All you need for GBBC
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GBBC Form: Register Your Bird Walk
CBC Form: Register Your Campus Bird Walk
Downloadable e-Certificates: GBBC/ CBC e Certificates

Join the Great Backyard Bird Count!

Getting Started

Step 1: Choose Your Spot

• Pick any outdoor location you’re comfortable with
• This can be your balcony, garden, college campus, or nearby park
• Even a window view works if you can’t go outside

Step 2: Get Ready

• Pick a time when you can spare at least 15 minutes
• Have your phone with eBird Mobile App and Merlin Bird ID App downloaded and regional ‘Bird Pack‘ installed
• If you have binoculars, great! If not, that’s perfectly fine too

Step 3: Watch and Record Birds

• Get comfortable in your chosen spot
• Set a timer for at least 15 minutes
• Open the eBird Mobile App and ‘Start‘ a new checklist
• Observe the birds around you and note every bird you spot, including their counts. Easiest way to record the birds are through eBird mobile App.
• Add all the birds that you can identify by sight or sound to the best of your ability
• Don’t forget to include even the common birds like mynas, pigeons, and crows
• If you’re unsure about a bird’s identity, you can take a photo or use the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify it

Step 4: Upload Your Observations

• After your 15 minutes (or more) are up
• Complete your checklist on the eBird app
• Review to double-check your entries
• Hit ‘submit’

Remember:

• You don’t need to be a bird expert
• Every observation counts, even if you only see one or two birds
• You can do multiple 15-minute checklists throughout the day
• It’s okay to watch with friends or join a local bird walk

Birdwalk at Mawkdok, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. Photo Credit: Duwaki Rangad

Ways to Participate

Solo birding: Love birding on your own? You can take part in GBBC from anywhere—your balcony, garden, local park, or even your college campus.All you need is 15 minutes and eBird App installed on your smartphone!

Join a bird walk: Participating in a guided bird walk is a great way to experience birding, especially if you’re a beginner. These walks are led by experienced birders who help you identify birds, understand their behavior, and improve your observation skills. Check this page to join a bird walks in your area.

Lead a Bird Walk: Guide others in discovering local birds. Choose easy bird-spotting locations for beginners – like wetlands, grasslands, or even your own neighborhood. We encourage you to planning and organise a public bird walk? If you do decide to have one, register here.

Share Your Knowledge: Give talks to schools or local groups and here are some ready-to-use materials. Download, edit, and customise the presentations to better suit your area. If you wish to engage beginner birders or kids to birds and nature, there are plenty of resources available on Early Bird’s website. 

Campus Bird Count: Are you a student, professional, or resident on a campus and interested in birds? If yes, the GBBC Campus Bird Count is perfect for you! Head here to know more Campus Bird Count

See the next page for resources that you can use or share while conducting birding events

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