Christmas Bird Count Week

Christmas Bird Count Week traces its origins to the first Christmas Bird Count, organized in 1900 by ornithologist Frank M. Chapman of the newly formed Audubon Society. At the time, many communities marked the holiday season with competitive “side hunts,” in which participants attempted to shoot as many birds and other animals as possible. Chapman proposed a different tradition: observing and counting birds rather than killing them. The first count involved a small number of groups across North America and established the conservation-minded spirit that continues to define the observance.

During Christmas Bird Count Week, volunteers take part in organized bird surveys in their local communities. Participants typically work within a designated area, recording every bird they see or hear and submitting their findings to coordinators. The activity is conducted as a week-long observance in December, reflecting the broader holiday-season period associated with the Christmas Bird Count rather than focusing on one particular calendar day.

Over time, the event developed from a modest holiday alternative into one of the longest-running citizen-science projects in North America. Improved field guides, binoculars, photography, digital databases, and online reporting tools have made participation accessible to a wider audience. The observations gathered by volunteers now help researchers study winter bird populations, migration patterns, habitat changes, and the effects of climate and urban development. Although the methods and technology have evolved, the basic practice—many individuals contributing local observations to a shared scientific record—has remained remarkably consistent.

Christmas Bird Count Week also has cultural significance beyond its scientific value. It brings families, conservation organizations, experienced birders, and beginners together in a cooperative outdoor activity during the holiday season. The observance encourages attentiveness to local wildlife and promotes the idea that celebrating nature can be part of a community’s seasonal traditions. Its history represents a broader shift in public attitudes toward birds and wildlife—from competitive exploitation toward appreciation, stewardship, and conservation.