Christmas Bird Count
Volunteers participate in the Christmas Bird Count. Photo: Skyler Ballard / Audubon
History of the Christmas Bird Count
In 1900, early Audubon officer and ornithologist Frank Chapman proposed the first “Christmas Bird Census” as a conservation-minded alternative to the long tradition of the “Christmas Side Hunt”: a competition to shoot as many birds (and mammals) as possible. That first year, 27 Audubon Christmas Bird Counters conducted 25 observational counts across North America, tallying 90 species.
Today, thankfully, the “Christmas Side Hunt” is no more. And the Audubon Christmas Bird Count has grown quite a bit: in 2019, 2,615 counts were conducted by 79,425 observers, tallying 2,638 species across the Americas and the Pacific Islands. What began as an alternative to slaughtering birds has also become a crucial tool to protect them:
What's the Purpose of the Counts?
The over 120 years of data collected by Christmas Bird Count volunteers provides a fundamental way to understand the long-term health of bird populations:
- Count data has contributed to several recent and impactful reports on bird decline in North America, highlighting the many threats birds face and providing impetus for bird-friendly policies across the country to protect birds.
- The Christmas Bird Count also plays a crucial role in contributing data to Audubon’s Bird Migration Explorer, an interactive platform that allows users to track and explore the migratory journeys of over 450 bird species, highlighting the challenges they face along the way.
- Participating in the Christmas Bird Count is a great way to get into birding while contributing to scientific knowledge that can help us protect birds. Many counts, especially NYC Bird Alliance-hosted ones, are designed for anyone to get involved -- whether you are a seasoned ornithologist or brand new to birds!
.JPG)
"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" class="attachment attachment--content"> Thanks for Joining the 2024 Christmas Bird Count
NYC Bird Alliance once again coordinated over 30 counts for the New Jersey Lower Hudson (NJLH) count circle, which took place on Sunday, December 15, 2024, across all of Manhattan, Governors Island, Randall's Island, Roosevelt Island, and parts of northern New Jersey.
The data is still trickling in, but some initial highlights include:
The data is still trickling in, but some initial highlights include:
- Record numbers: We had over 700 volunteers sign up for this historic count, almost double our previous high!
- Unusual sightings: A MacGillivray's Warbler was spotted at Fort Tryon Park during Count Week and a Painted Bunting on Count Day at Harsimus Cemetery in Jersey City, both non-native to the East Coast.
- ¿Sabes Español? In partnership with Riverside Park Alliance, we hosted our first bilingual Spanish-English count at Riverside Park's north end.
Check out our Christmas Bird Count photo album and relive a spectacular day.
From first-time participants to seasoned counters, everyone played a crucial role in maintaining a 125-year tradition of critical bird research and habitat protection in New York City and beyond. Thank you for joining us! Check back in February for count data, found below.
From first-time participants to seasoned counters, everyone played a crucial role in maintaining a 125-year tradition of critical bird research and habitat protection in New York City and beyond. Thank you for joining us! Check back in February for count data, found below.
Join us for a Future Christmas Bird Count
Every December, NYC Bird Alliance is responsible for reporting data for the Lower Hudson Count Circle, which includes all of Manhattan and parts of New Jersey. We host counts all across the City, including Manhattan's Central Park! Separate counts are also coordinated by birding clubs in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.
The 126th Christmas Bird Count will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Information on how to get involved in all five NYC counts will be posted on our Volunteer Opportunities page by mid-November each year. Sign up for our eGret eNewsletter to get notified when registration opens.
Read more about the history of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, and see compiled nationwide data, on the National Audubon website.
"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" class="attachment attachment--content"> 
Results from Previous Central Park and New Jersey/Lower Hudson Counts
125th Audubon Christmas Bird Count - Central Park Results (2024)
125th Audubon Christmas Bird Count - New Jersey/Lower Hudson Results (2024) COMING SOON
124th Audubon Christmas Bird Count - Central Park Results (2023)
124th Audubon Christmas Bird Count - New Jersey/Lower Hudson Results (2023)
123rd Audubon Christmas Bird Count - Central Park Results (2022)
123rd Audubon Christmas Bird Count - New Jersey/Lower Hudson Results (2022)
122nd Audubon Christmas Bird Count - Central Park Results (2021)
121st Audubon Christmas Bird Count - New Jersey/Lower Hudson Results (2020)
120th Audubon Christmas Bird Count - Central Park Results
