Sálim Ali Bird Count is a national event started by The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in 2018, to celebrate the birth anniversary of late Dr. Sálim Ali (12 Nov). Dr. Ali, popularly known as the ‘Birdman of India’, is one of the most influential ornithologists and naturalists India has ever seen. His collection of ten volumes on the birds of India and Pakistan, written with Dillion Ripley, is a tour de force in the annals of Indian science.

This year the event will be celebrated for 8 days from 5 – 12 November, coinciding with Pakshi Saptah, another popular statewide event celebrated in Maharashtra.

How to Participate in Sálim Ali Bird Count?

Watch and count birds from anywhere you are in India for 8 days, from 5 -12 Nov

Upload your sightings to the eBird mobile app and/ or the Internet of Birds Mobile App

Upload at least two lists  each day from 5 -12 Nov.  Each list should be of at least 15 minutes or more

Each list should be a complete list with counts of all birds that you could identify by sight and/ or sound to the best of your ability.

General Instructions:

If possible, anyone of the days between 5 -12 Nov, visit the nearest Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) or any waterbody and undertake a careful count of birds for a long period of time (over an hour) to make it more meaningful.

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. Here are a few video links that can guide you on how to use the App

Installing and preparing eBird Mobile App

Submit your sightings through eBird Mobile

Important:

Please submit all your lists before the 10th of December.

While birding, please ensure that you adhere to COVID-19 related instructions by central and local authorities 

For those new to eBird, read the brief description, and go through our detailed beginner’s guide; create an account and start using eBird right away to get used to the platform.

If you have any queries, please email us at skimmer@birdcount.in

Header Image: Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler by Biswapriya Rahut/ Macaulay Library from this checkist