FeederWatchers help us track large-scale patterns in the occurrence of
rare, sick, or unusual birds.
 Rare birds
A rare bird is
one that is clearly outside its typical winter range. Learn more about identifying and documenting a rare bird.
If the bird is
rare, fill out the Rare Bird form found from the last main link on the Data Entry
home page or mail us your report along with a photo. (You can download a .pdf file of a paper form here.) Provide as much detail as possible. Photos are required to confirm a rare bird report, but if you can't get a photo, or if you can only get a poor quality photo, please send a sketch of what you saw along with your report. You can use the bird sketch page here. You may report a rare bird even if
you see the bird outside of your FeederWatch Count Days, as long as the bird was in your Count Site during the FeederWatch season.
Confirmed rare bird reports are posted on the
FeederWatch web site and discussed in our reports.
Sick birds
You may see a bird that looks lethargic and puffed up or has strange growths. FeederWatch tracks observations of these sick birds. Learn more about bird diseases.
Report the number of House Finches or American Goldfinches you observe with House Finch eye disease on your regular count forms (online or on paper). If you submit data through the web site, use the Sick Bird Form found from the last main link on the Data Entry home page to report all other diseased birds. Follow the instructions on the form to send photos or sketches. You can draw a sketch on our bird sketch page.
If you submit data on paper forms, send us a note, as well a photo or sketch, about any sick birds you see when you send in your data booklet at the end of the season. (You can download a pdf file of a paper form.)
Unusual birds
Sometimes FeederWatch participants see strange looking birds, perhaps with a bald head, strange white coloring, or an oddly shaped bill. Learn more about unusual-looking birds.
If you submit data through the web site, use the Unusual Bird Form to report birds with unusual plumage or other features found from the last main link on the Data Entry home page. Follow the instructions on the form to send photos or sketches. You can draw a sketch on our bird sketch page.
If you submit data on paper forms send us a note, as well a photo or sketch, about any strange looking birds that you see when you send in your data booklet at the end of the season,
please use the Sick or Unusual Bird Form found in your Instruction Booklet to report your observation. (You can download a pdf file file of a form.)
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