Grab your binoculars, charge the phone, and get ready to count your feathered neighbours in one of Australia’s biggest backyard bird events
Twitchers, bird nerds, and backyard birdwatchers – your favourite week of the year has landed. The Aussie Bird Count is back, and BirdLife Australia wants everyone to look up and log their feathered locals.
From today until Sunday, October 26, bird lovers across Australia are spending 20 minutes counting the birds in their backyard, local park, or favourite lookout. It’s all part of one of the country’s biggest citizen science events, helping track bird populations and environmental health across every corner of the country.
Last year, more than 57,000 people joined in, submitting almost 130,000 checklists and recording over 4.1 million birds through the free Aussie Bird Count app. The Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, and Australian Magpie topped the charts in 2024 – but will they swoop in again this year, or will the fairy-wren flutter to victory?
How to join the count
- Pick your spot – anywhere works, from the front verandah to your favourite patch of scrub.
- Spend 20 minutes quietly observing the birds you see.
- Log your sightings using the free Aussie Bird Count app, which helps identify species by sight and sound.
BirdLife Australia’s National Public Affairs Manager, Sean Dooley, says you don’t need to be a pro to take part.
“It’s not about being a bird expert,” he said. “It’s about spending time outdoors and discovering something new about your local environment. The Aussie Bird Count shows how citizen science can bring families and communities together while deepening our understanding of Australia’s unique wildlife.”
He says birds are key indicators of environmental health, and with one in six Australian species now under threat, every observation helps.
“Citizen science can fill the gaps between professional surveys and help communities take ownership of conservation,” Sean said.
The Aussie Bird Count is now in its 12th year and continues to grow in popularity, with schools, councils, and workplaces getting involved across the country. From classrooms to community parks, it’s a chance to connect with nature, take a breather, and give back – all in 20 minutes.
“Every count matters,” Sean said. “Every time someone stops to notice a bird, even a common one, that’s a moment of connection. Communities that care about nature are communities that protect it.”
So, whether you’re out spotting a mob of galahs, a wedge-tailed eagle on the horizon, or that one noisy magpie eyeing off your lunch, this week’s the time to join the flock and make your count count.
The 2025 Aussie Bird Count runs from Monday 20 – Sunday 26 October.
Download the free app or register at www.aussiebirdcount.org.au.
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