Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) India
by Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF)
Participation certificate
7,336 participants
Four-day global bird count each February where participants watch birds for fifteen minutes or more and upload their lists to eBird.
Mode
Hybrid
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual and team
Teams of 1 or more
Duration
Four days in February
Time needed
At least fifteen minutes per bird list, repeatable across the four days
Eligibility
Open to everyone in India with no age or grade restriction. Individuals, families, groups and beginners can all take part, and no prior birding experience is needed. Participants can count birds from anywhere, including a home balcony, garden, park or school campus.
- Grade level
- Playgroup, Pre-Nursery, Nursery, LKG, UKG & Grade 1 to 12
- Age range
- Open to all ages
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- No prior birding experience or expertise is required.
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Certificate
Participation certificate
Bird Count India publishes participation certificate templates that contributors download and add their own name to. It is a record of taking part rather than an assessed or individually issued credential.
Recognition
Named in the national participant list
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Dates
- 12 Feb 2027 to 15 Feb 2027
Event Start Date
The Great Backyard Bird Count India 2027 officially begins. Participants can start submitting their bird lists to eBird from this date, observing birds anywhere in India (all times in IST).
Event End Date
This is the final day for participants to submit their bird observations to eBird for the 2027 count. All submissions must be completed by the end of this day (23:59 IST).
Online · eBird
How to apply
- 1Create a free eBird account and install the eBird app
- 2Pick any spot to watch birds, such as a balcony, garden or park
- 3Watch and listen for at least fifteen minutes and note every bird
- 4Upload the list on eBird during the four-day window
Rules and guidelines
- Watch birds for at least fifteen minutes per list
- Record every bird seen or heard, including common ones
- Mark the list as complete before uploading
- Start a new list when the location, habitat or protocol changes
- A group birding together shares one list through a nominated list keeper
Technology requirements
- A smartphone with the eBird app, or a computer to upload lists on the eBird website
- The Merlin Bird ID app is optional and helps identify birds by sight or sound
About this opportunity
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a four-day global bird count held every February. Participants watch birds for at least fifteen minutes wherever they are, identify what they see and hear, and upload the list to eBird.
Anyone can take part, from a balcony, garden, neighbourhood park, wetland or school campus. Individual participants do not register, and no prior birding experience is needed. Observers may submit as many lists as they like across the four days, and the Merlin Bird ID app helps beginners identify birds by sight or by call. Binoculars are useful but are not required.
The global count is organised by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. In India it is coordinated by Bird Count India, a consortium of more than seventy birding, nature and conservation organisations hosted by Nature Conservation Foundation. Indian birders have taken part since the count went worldwide in 2013. Organisers across the country also list public bird walks during the four days, which anyone can join.
Academic details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
What's covered
Participants learn to watch and listen for birds in a chosen spot, identify species with help from the Merlin Bird ID app where needed, count individuals of each species, and submit a complete checklist to eBird.
Frequently asked questions
Is registration required for individual participants?
Individual participants are not required to register for the Great Backyard Bird Count. They simply need to observe birds during the four-day event and upload their lists to eBird. Registration is only necessary for organizers who wish to list a public bird walk.
What if a participant cannot identify every bird observed?
It is perfectly acceptable if a participant cannot identify every bird. The Merlin Bird ID app is a helpful tool that can assist in recognizing birds from a photo or a call. Participants should record what they can confidently identify.
Is any special equipment necessary to participate?
No special equipment is mandatory for participation. A smartphone with the eBird app is sufficient for recording and uploading a list. While binoculars can enhance the experience, they are not a requirement.
What is the minimum time commitment for participation?
A single bird list requires a minimum of fifteen minutes of observation. Participants can choose to submit just one list or multiple lists across the four days, depending on their availability and interest.
Can families or school groups participate together?
Yes, families or school groups can count birds together. A group birding together should maintain one shared list through a nominated list keeper, who can then share it so each member can accept it into their own eBird account.
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