Great Backyard Bird Count 2024—Preliminary Results

Summary

India has been actively involved in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) since 2013! Just like in previous years, the 12th edition of GBBC 2024 was a resounding success. In this post, we’ll share some highlights of GBBC 2024. The complete results will be available by April 2024; this is just a preliminary summary.

At a global level, India did very well, uploading the second-highest number of checklists and the third-highest species of any country (Fig. 1). For many of us, GBBC is more than just a count. It’s a yearly ritual, a chance to connect with nature, and an opportunity to contribute to something bigger than ourselves.

Every day, at least 2,180 birdwatchers from India came together for the 4 days (3,175 birdwatchers on Day 3!), documented 1,036 species, and uploaded over 61,000 checklists (Table 1). Participants represented all 37 states and union territories.

Table 1: Total number of observers, checklists and species reported each day of GBBC 2024

Fig. 1: Top 5 countries in terms of checklists and species. Source: ebird.org/gbbc. Accessed on 02-03-2024

Congratulations to all the birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts from across the country who made this event a success! A special shout out to all those who took this opportunity to conduct public bird walks/ talks in their regions and campuses and introduce new people to the wonders of birds and nature. This was the first GBBC where all the states and union territories of India were covered. In many of the states and union territories, birdwatchers were able to cover all of their districts (Table 2).

Table 2: List of states and UTs where all regions were covered during the GBBC 2024

While Kerala recorded the most number of checklists, West Bengal reported the maximum number of species.

Table 3: Total number of lists uploaded from all states and UTs

Table 4: Total number of species uploaded from all states and UTs

Please note that the numbers presented in the tables could differ from the global results, as birders are continuing to upload lists and volunteer eBird reviewers are reviewing the data.

Among the species reported, the following are some of the interesting restricted-range species classified as High Priority in the SoIB 2023 report: Andaman Serpent-Eagle, Andaman Woodpecker, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, White-headed Starling, Nilgiri Sholakili, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Andaman Treepie, Forest Owlet, Bugun Liocichla, White-bellied Sholakili.

Fig 2: Andaman Serpent-Eagle Spilornis elgini © Priyam Chattopadhyay/ Macaulay Library

Fig 3: Forest Owlet Athene blewitti © Vikram S/ Macaulay Library

Over four hundred bird walks were registered for this GBBC/ CBC. Kudos to those who used this opportunity to interact with the public, students, and children through your bird walks, talks, and other activities. A special shout out to all the groups and folks from the Himalayan and North-Eastern Indian states who led bird walks and talks during this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count! See images of bird walks and talks here

Header Image: Campus Bird Count at Arivu School in Mysuru. Photo Credit: Vijaya Lakshmi