What is Project FeederWatch?

Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders anywhere in the United States and Canada. FeederWatchers periodically count the highest numbers of each species they see at their feeders from November through early April. FeederWatch helps scientists track broad scale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in the distribution and abundance of birds.

  How is FeederWatch different than the Great Backyard Bird Count?

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) provides a "snapshot" of the abundance and distribution of birds in February each year. In contrast, FeederWatch provides a winter-long view of bird populations, helping scientists track movements throughout the winter. GBBC allows participants to report any species seen anywhere during the four days of the event. FeederWatchers, in contrast, follow a simple counting protocol to ensure that all participants are collecting data in the same manner. FeederWatch focuses only on birds that visit feeders. Learn more about FeederWatch data here.

Who can participate?

Anyone with an interest in birds! FeederWatch is conducted by people of all skill levels and backgrounds, including children, families, individuals, classrooms, retired persons, youth groups, nature centers, and bird clubs.

What will I do?

Simply count the birds that visits the area around your feeders. For each species, report only the highest number of individuals of each species that you saw in view at one time during a two-day period. By following this procedure, you are certain to avoid counting the same bird more than once. You'll report your bird counts to scientists at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada, either over our web site or on paper data forms.

How much time does it take?

It's up to you! Select your own count days--two consecutive days as often as once every week. Spend as much time counting as you like on your count days.

Is there a fee to participate?

There is a $15 annual participation fee ($12 for Lab members, CAN$35 for Canadian participants) that supports the projects and pays for the materials that you will receive. All FeederWatch participants receive a one-year subscription to BirdScope (the newsletter of the the Lab of Ornithology) or BirdWatch Canada (the newsletter of Bird Studies Canada). Participants also receive a research kit containing:

• The Common Feeder Birds identification poster (17" x 22")
• The Bird Watching Days calendar
• The FeederWatcher's Handbook (with tips for attracting birds to your yard)
• Winter Bird Highlights, the annual FeederWatch data summary
• The Project FeederWatch instruction booklet
• Access to the FeederWatch online data entry system
• Paper data forms (if you select the paper option)

When does the season start?

Our survey is conducted each winter from November through early April. You may join at any time of year and start receiving the quarterly issues of the newsletter. The last day to sign up for any given season is February 28. On March 1 we begin taking sign-ups for the following season. Kits are shipped in the fall or, if you sign up during the season, about 3 weeks after you sign up.

Why should I participate?

FeederWatch results are available on our web site, are regularly published in scientific journals, and are shared with ornithologists and bird lovers worldwide.

As a FeederWatcher, you will learn more about winter birds and how their populations are faring. You'll also contribute to the study and conservation of North American feeder birds.