Monday, 31 August 2026
We’re counting down until we can get counting – and our annual Aussie Bird Count is coming up soon!
Held over National Bird Week from 19‒25 October, the Aussie Bird Count is one of Australia’s biggest and most beloved citizen science events. Every year, tens of thousands of Australians of all ages and experiences join us in observing and counting the birds we live with. In 2025, over 64,000 participants counted a staggering 5 million birds ‒ and you can help us make this year’s count our biggest yet!
To join the 2026 Aussie Bird Count, simply:
1. Register as a counter at aussiebirdcount.org.au
2. Download the free Aussie Bird Count app (you can find it on Google Play or the Apple Store) – if you already have the app make sure it is up to date before you count!
3. Then, from 19 October, simply spend 20 minutes in the one place watching, counting and recording the birds that you see.
4. Enter your location in the app (or through our online web form) and the name and number of each bird species you see
5. Submit your count after your 20 minutes is up!
You can count as many times as you like, until 25 October.
Now in its thirteenth year, the Aussie Bird Count is a week-long citizen science event that aims to raise the profile of Australia’s birds – by encouraging thousands of people around the country to connect with nature and get to know the birds around them.
You can count together and count from anywhere: from home, at school, in your backyard or a nearby park or any outdoor space of your choosing. Each count takes just 20 minutes, and it’s a great excuse to get outdoors and brush up on your bird identification skills.
Using standard bird survey techniques, these 20-minute counts provides a national snapshot of Australian bird populations at the same time each year, which helps us track how bird populations are faring over time.
By telling us about the birds you’ve seen within a 20-minute period, you can help BirdLife Australia develop an understanding of local birds while getting to know the wildlife on your doorstep.
Now in its thirteenth year, the Aussie Bird Count is Australia’s biggest annual citizen science event.
Get to know the birds you’re likely to see during the Aussie Bird Count
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