Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Photo Credit: Georgina Steytler
- One of Australia’s biggest and most beloved citizen science events returns for its 12th year
- Will the Rainbow Lorikeet reign supreme as Australia’s most frequently counted bird?
- To take part in this year’s Aussie Bird Count, register at www.aussiebirdcount.org.au
The 2025 Aussie Bird Count, one of Australia’s largest citizen science events, begins today. This national celebration of our unique and diverse birdlife will run to Sunday, 26 October 2025. BirdLife Australia invites people of all ages to take just 20 minutes out of their day to spot, identify, and count the birds around them.
Last year, more than 57,000 participants submitted nearly 130,000 checklists and logged more than 4.1 million birds across the country using the free Aussie Bird Count app. The Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, and Australian Magpie topped the charts in 2024. Will they swoop in for the top three once more in 2025?
How to take part
- Pick your spot – anywhere you like, from your backyard to your favourite park or garden
- Spend 20 minutes quietly observing the birds you see
- Submit your count using the Aussie Bird Count app, which will help you identify the birds you see and hear
BirdLife Australia is the national bird conservation charity behind the Aussie Bird Count which has grown in popularity over more than a decade.
“It’s not about being a bird expert,” says Sean Dooley, BirdLife Australia’s National Public Affairs Manager. “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.
“Birds are considered indicators of environmental health, and one in six Australian bird species is now under threat. Citizen science can play a vital role in filling the gaps between professional surveys and helping communities take ownership of conservation.”
The Aussie Bird Count is a simple 20-minute activity that can become an annual family tradition to encourage observation skills and appreciation of nature that can last a lifetime.”
Whether participants are seasoned birders or people who simply enjoy spotting a kookaburra or a flock of lorikeets, the count offers an accessible way to engage with the environment and take part in protecting it.
Why join the count?
Australia’s largest citizen science project, the Aussie Bird Count encourages everyone to get to know their local birds and help BirdLife Australia take an annual, national snapshot of the birds around us.
It is also helping Australians to embrace the natural environment and sustainable thinking, through activations in classrooms, councils and even workplaces, with many embracing it as a learning tool, community activity and wellbeing initiative.
“Every count matters,” says Sean. “Every time someone stops to notice a bird, even a common one, that’s a moment of connection.
“Whether you’re taking part from your local park, backyard or through one of the many local community activities, bird watching is a simple activity that can bring connection and joy. Communities that care about nature are communities that protect it.”
The 2025 Aussie Bird Count
When: Monday 20 – Sunday 26 October 2025
Where: All across Australia
How: Download the free Aussie Bird Count app or visit www.aussiebirdcount.org.au to register
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