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For the first time, anyone anywhere in the world with Internet access can participate in the 16th annual (GBBC) February 15-18. Participants simply watch birds at any location for at least 15 minutes, tally the numbers of each species they see, and report their tallies online at . The GBBC is a joint project of the and , with Canadian partner .

This year, anyone visiting the GBBC website will be able to see bird observations pouring in from around the world and contribute their own tallies. Global participation will be made possible thanks to , a real-time online checklist program that the Cornell Lab and ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ are integrating into the GBBC for the first time this year. The GBBC is open to anyone of any skill level and welcomes bird observations from any location, including backyards, national parks, gardens, wetlands, and urban landscapes. The four-day count typically receives sightings from tens of thousands of people reporting more than 600 bird species in the United States and Canada alone. 

"We're eager to see how many of the world's 10,240 bird species will be reported during the count this year," said Cornell Lab director John Fitzpatrick. "We're looking forward to this historic snapshot of birds that that will be reported from around the world. We need as many people as possible to help build the wealth of data that scientists need to track the health of bird populations through time." 

Participants will be able to view what others are seeing on interactive maps and contribute their tallies for ongoing bird research and conservation efforts. For the first time, participants will also be able to upload their counts from the field using the eBird BirdLog app for Apple or Android smartphones. To celebrate the new global reach of the count, developers of the eBird BirdLog app are offering regional versions of the app for just 99 cents through February 18.

"This count is so much fun because anyone can take part, whether you are an expert, novice, or feeder watcher," said , ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s Chief Scientist. "Invite new birders to join and share the experience. Once you get involved, you can continue with eBird year round."

"The popularity of the Great Backyard Bird Count grows each year," said Dick Cannings, Senior Projects Officer at Bird Studies Canada, "and with the new features, participation will be even more exciting."

Participating is easy. To learn more about how to join the count, get bird ID tips, plus downloadable instructions, web buttons, and flyers, visit . The count also includes a photo contest and a prize drawing for participants who enter at least one bird checklist online. Portions of the GBBC site are also now available in Spanish at .

The Great Backyard Bird Count is made possible in part by sponsor .   

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Editors: Visit the for high-resolution images and your state’s top-10 lists from the 2012 count. Please also inquire about possible interviews with local participants. You can also read a .

Contacts:

    Pat Leonard, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (607) 254-2137, pel27@cornell.edu        

    Delta Willis, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡, (212) 979-3197, dwillis@audubon.org

    Dick Cannings, Bird Studies Canada, (250) 493-3393 (Pacific Coast time), dcannings@birdscanada.org

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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit membership institution interpreting and conserving the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Visit the Cornell Lab’s website at www.birds.cornell.edu.

Bird Studies Canada administers regional, national, and international research and monitoring programs that advance the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of wild birds and their habitats. We are Canada's national body for bird conservation and science, and we are a non-governmental charitable organization.

The eBird program was launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡. eBird Canada is administered by Bird Studies Canada.