CITIZEN SCIENCE

From backyards and city streets to remote forests, anyone who counts birds can contribute to the Lab's research. Data from the projects described below are used to monitor bird populations and outline conservation efforts.

It's easy and fun--join us!

Fall/Winter Projects »
Spring/Summer Projects »
Year-Round Projects »

What is citizen science?

It is a partnership between the public and professional scientists. People across the continent are gathering data to better understand and conserve birds.

Who can participate?

EVERYONE is invited to participate! No matter your location, age, or experience we have a project for you.

How do I participate?

Each project has easy-to-follow instructions describing how to count the birds and record additional information. Once you have submitted your data to the Lab you have succeeded as a citizen scientist and contributed valuable data to bird conservation and population monitoring efforts.
The Lab projects are listed below by time of year: Fall/Winter, Spring/Summer, Year-Round.

SPRING/SUMMER PROJECTS

The Birdhouse Network

Join and help scientists study and conserve North American cavity-nesting birds. All you need is a nest box (birdhouse) and a small amount of time each week during spring and summer to monitor the birds nesting in your box(es).
Click here »

Birds in Forested Landscapes

Help scientists examine the effects of habitat change (e.g. forest fragmentation) on North American birds. Participants choose study sites in forests of various sizes, then survey for target species by broadcasting recordings of the species' vocalizations.
Click here »

Golden-winged Warbler Atlas Project

Help determine the population status and habitat and area requirements of Golden-winged and Blue-winged warblers and their hybrids. Volunteer birders and professional biologists observe and record the warblers at known and potential breeding sites.
Click here »

YEAR-ROUND PROJECTS

	Celebrate Urban Birds! Get to know the birds on your block! Join thousands of others across the continent in celebrating some of the amazing birds that live with us in cities, towns and the countryside. You’ll learn about birds and help scientists figure out how they survive. This project takes only10 minutes--it’s fun and it’s easy! You’ll get all the materials you need to participate FREE. Click here »
	PigeonWatch Did you know that pigeons come in different colors? Join PigeonWatch and help scientists solve the mystery, "Why are there so many colors of pigeons?" Click here »
	House Finch Disease Survey Will House Finch eye disease cause an epidemic in the West as it has elsewhere? We need help from citizen scientists in all regions to find out more about how the disease is affecting House Finches across the continent. Click here »
	eBird A continentwide, year-round survey of North American birds: Any bird, Anywhere, Anytime. State-of-the-art Web technology provides simple and flexible, yet powerful, ability to track birds and share information with scientists, teachers, amateur naturalists, and other birders. Click here »

FALL/WINTER PROJECTS

Project FeederWatch

Join more than 16,000 other citizen scientists who periodically count the birds that visit their bird feeders from November to April. Your counts will help scientists track the distribution and abundance of birds in winter. Anyone can participate in Project FeederWatch.
Click here »

Great Backyard Bird Count

A four-day winter survey of birds. Anyone can submit observations and see results in real time over the Internet.
Click here »

BirdSleuth

Students learn inquiry by observing and recording bird counts and interacting with university scientists. Data are part of a continentwide effort to learn more about bird population dynamics.
Click here »

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

All About Birds

Everything you ever wanted to know about birds! Click here »

OR
Click on these direct links:

- Online bird guide »
- How to identify birds »
- Where to find birds »
- Gear Guide--binoculars, scopes »
- Attracting Birds--feeders, nest boxes, landscaping »
- Bird Conservation »

Educator's Guide to Bird Study

The Lab's citizen-science projects work well in elementary and middle-school classrooms. They promote scientific inquiry through children's natural fascination with birds.
Click here »

BirdSource

Developed and managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon , BirdSource provides the technology that powers the Lab's citizen-science projects. BirdSource also implements a variety of interactive online projects.
Click here »