Press Releases

Counting on Bird Counters in the Southwest

October 25, 2006

House Finches were reported at more feeders in the Southwest last winter than any other species. Close behind in the rankings were Dark-eyed Juncos, Mourning Doves, White-crowned Sparrows, and Western Scrub-Jays. These rankings are based on reports to Project FeederWatch, a popular citizen-science project from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that helps answer questions about bird populations.

According to project leader David Bonter, last winter was a bit of a disappointment for many bird-feeding enthusiasts. "A lot of people from Texas and Oklahoma, west to New Mexico, Arizona, and California reported less activity at their feeders last year. In fact, flock sizes for the top five species were all below average last winter," said Bonter.

While the most common species were having an off year, other species were showing up in record numbers. More than half of the FeederWatch participants in the region reported seeing Lesser Goldfinches last season, an increase from less than 25 percent of sites during the 1990s. Other species reported at record levels in the region last season included the Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Cooper's Hawk. White-winged Doves continued to expand their range and are now common in many parts of the region.

Project FeederWatch participants have submitted more than 1.1 million checklists to date, helping scientists track changes in bird populations and distribution. People of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate.

To learn more about Project FeederWatch or to register, visit www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw or call the Lab toll-free at (800) 843-2473. In return for the $15 fee ($12 for Lab members) participants receive the FeederWatcher's Handbook, a poster of the most common feeder birds, a calendar, complete instructions, a subscription to the Lab's newsletter, BirdScope, and the FeederWatch Winter Bird Highlights. The season runs from November 11 to April 6, and participants may join at any time.

"It's our 20th year," said Bonter, "and we're counting on citizen scientists to help us track birds for the next 20 years."

Note: Photos and local participants for stories are available upon request. Contact David Bonter at (607) 254-2457 or email dnb23@cornell.edu.