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by Katie Nichols

Alabama Cooperative Extension Service

The 28th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is slated for Feb. 14 to 17. In conjunction with National Bird Feeding Month, the GBBC unites bird enthusiasts as they feed, observe and report bird sightings. Through the GBBC, participants contribute valuable data to aid scientists in understanding avian populations and their distributions.

Wesley Anderson, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System wildlife specialist, said it is important to get people invested in the GBBC and help them see how easy it is to get involved.

“Bird populations have had a significant decline in the last couple of decades,” Anderson said. “Having hundreds of thousands of people make a concerted effort to identify birds during the GBBC really helps researchers get a better understanding of the species that are in your area during this time of the year.”

The GBBC is a valuable citizen-science project that has continued for almost 30 years. This worldwide initiative had participants from more than 200 countries report almost 8,000 bird species during the 2024 count. Anderson said there are many ways researchers can use data that are collected during the GBBC.

“The selected dates are still during Alabama’s winter, so participants help researchers confirm the presence of species that they expect to see in Alabama, as well as identify birds that should be present but are not,” Anderson said.

Logging Observations

Find a GBBC event in Alabama near you by visiting the website at www.birdcount.org/community-map/. Individuals and groups are encouraged to spend 15 minutes observing birds in backyards, parks and other places. Observations can be submitted through one of two platform options — Merlin or eBird.

Merlin is geared toward novice bird watchers who may have less experience identifying and recording a species. Simply open the app and allow it to record for 15 minutes. Anderson said the app will identify every bird that can be heard during the recording. In addition, recordings made during the GBBC will automatically be uploaded and count toward the GBBC observations.

“One of the neat things about the Merlin app is that it shows a photo of the birds that are heard in the background as it is recording,” Anderson said. “You can watch the identification images pop up in real time or go back and listen to the recording and watch the bird species pop up. This makes it a great teaching tool and helps people sharpen their bird identification skills.”

The other platform option is eBird, through the mobile app or website. Anderson said this platform is ideal for seasoned birders who are well-versed in spotting and identifying birds.

Data collected by citizen scientists are important, as they provide valuable snapshots of bird populations before their migrations. Data helps scientists track changes in species distribution and population numbers over time.

Feeding Birds

Anderson said winter is a difficult time for birds to find food. Keeping bird feeders stocked is a great way to help bird during this time of year.

“If you have bird populations that hang around your backyard, winter is a good time to keep the feeders stocked,” Anderson said. “Most birds migrate farther south for warmth, as well as abundant food sources. Those who stick around will appreciate the feeder staying full. On warm days, it is OK to let the feeder get empty. However, when it is cold, it is important to refill the feeder daily.”

It is also important to protect birds from illnesses by keeping the feeder clean.

“When people are feeding birds, there is the potential to draw in large numbers of birds,” Anderson said. “Like humans, birds can spread diseases more easily when they are congregating in large numbers.”

Anderson recommends cleaning the feeder every two weeks when possible. While the National Audubon Society recommends cleaning feeders with a cleaning solution of one part bleach to nine parts water, Anderson said a dish washer run on a hot cycle will also do the trick.

More Information

Take advantage of National Bird Feeding Month and hang a feeder to prepare for the GBBC. Whether you are a seasoned birder or a budding enthusiast, the GBBC offers an opportunity to connect with nature and fellow birders to contribute to an impactful citizen-science project.

Katie Nichols is a Communications Specialist for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.