Himalayan Bird Count

The Himalayan Bird Count is an initiative by Bird Count India, Bird Conservation Nepal, and Royal Society for Protection of Nature, Bhutan. This annual event tracks bird populations across the Himalayan regions to contribute valuable data for conservation efforts. The 4th edition of Himalayan Bird Count is on Saturday, 10 May 2025!

How to participate

• Observe and Count birds from anywhere in the listed Himalayan regions on 10th May 2025
• Upload checklists through the eBird Mobile App
• Ensure each list is at least 15 minutes in duration (15 minutes is ideal for year-to-year comparability)
• Create multiple checklists throughout the day – from midnight to midnight
• Upload complete checklists with counts (no “X” entries) of all birds you identify by sight and/or sound

Monitoring Breeding (IMPORTANT)

Report breeding codes on eBird to improve our understanding of breeding behaviors:

• • Tap the species name in the eBird App
  • Tap ‘Add breeding code‘
  • Select the appropriate purple circle matching your observation

Note:

• F (Flyover) and H (Appropriate Habitat) are NOT breeding codes
• Avoid using H completely
• Not every observation requires a breeding code

Watch this webinar for guidance on using breeding codes correctly.

General Instructions

• Counts will be more productive early in the morning, with birds generally becoming quiet and inactive during the middle of the day.
• You could also upload as many counts as you can from a single site or from different sites.
• If you are uploading your lists to eBird then the eBird mobile app is one of the easiest ways to upload your sightings.
• Due to the steep elevation gradient in the Himalaya, we recommend counting birds at one spot (eBird protocol ‘Stationary’), and then moving to the next spot for your next list. This avoids mixing of species from different altitudes in the same list.
• If you are new to eBird, then do have a look at the list of short videos on using various eBird features. 
• Consider taking groups of people birding and show them the wonders of nature.

Please upload all your lists by 10 June 2025

Participating Regions

• Countries
  • Bhutan (Partner: Royal Society for Protection of Nature)
  • Nepal (Partner: Bird Conservation Nepal)
  • India (Partner: Bird Count India Collective)
• Indian States/Regions
  • Ladakh
  • Jammu & Kashmir
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Uttarakhand
  • North Bengal
  • Sikkim
  • Arunachal Pradesh

Contacts of regional coordinators (coming soon).

Useful Links

• Webinar Recording on Identifying Himalayan Leaf Warblers 
• Himalayan Bird Count 2024 Results
• Himalayan Bird Count 2023 Results
• Himalayan Bird Count 2022 Results
• About Himalayan Bird Count

For further queries, email: [email protected]

Banner Image: Himalayan Bluetail (Orange-flanked Bush-Robin) Tarsiger rufilatus © Abhiram Sankar/ Macaulay Library