Project FeederWatch
Join thousands of people in watching, learning, and contributing observations about the natural world
Learn how FeederWatch worksTurn your love of observing wildlife into new discoveries
FeederWatch engages people in observing birds and mammals that visit backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. You choose the location, when to count, and how much time to observe. Joining the FeederWatch community is fun, educational, and rewarding—your observations provide unique insight into the lives of backyard birds and help us track avian populations over time.
You Can Participate!
No matter where you live, your observations are important.
Will you help contribute to our understanding of birds and nature?
FeederWatch Materials
Choose to receive materials to help you learn and successfully contribute observations.
Counting for FeederWatch
Follow these step-by-step instructions so that your observations contribute to science.
Join the Community!
Register here to contribute your observations and support research about our favorite birds.
Entering observations is easy!
Tally counts in real time on your mobile device or tablet, or enter your completed count through our web site.
Together, we are learning about birds
Learn about birds that commonly visit feeders in winter, and see what your observations are teaching all of us.
Tricky Bird IDsFrom streaky sparrows to familiar finches: Learn how to identify similar species
Trend GraphsInvestigate if populations of your favorite species are increasing, remaining stable, or decreasing in your region
Top 25 BirdsExplore which birds are reported most frequently in your state, province, or region
Help birds thrive at your count site—it might just help you too!
FeederWatchers can (and do) make a difference helping birds. Learn about what you can do to help your feathered visitors.
Common Feeder Birds
Use our interactive tool to find which foods and feeders are preferred by 100 common species.
Observations from FeederWatchers contribute to a greater understanding of nature
FeederWatchers make a difference for science and the environment.
Who Is The Toughest Bird?
Observations of behavioral interactions provide novel insights into dominance hierarchies in wild birds.
Anna’s Hummingbirds Expand Range
Hummingbird feeders and landscape plants likely contribute to winter range expansion.
Join the thousands of FeederWatchers counting birds this winter!
“FeederWatch encourages us to stop, sit, and watch the birds. In our busy lives, it is a wonderful reminder to take that quiet time to watch nature and remember what’s really important. Nothing can replace the excitement of the first birds of the season.“
—Lisa Nadler
“Our whole family participates in FeederWatch. It has been a wonderful opportunity to educate our children about the different birds who visit us, and to see so many different species and behaviors.“
—Jennifer Kolber
“Project FeederWatch was especially important to me last year because my health and mobility were restricted. The view out my kitchen window allowed me to sit comfortably and watch the daily visitors. Since I was home more often than not, the birds provided me with lots of company and were good for my spirit.“
—Loretta Silvia
“I participate in FeederWatch every year because, above all, I love birds. I enjoy observing their interactions at feeders and contributing valuable data on which species visit and how they interact. Reading the season summary at the end is always fascinating, and knowing I played a part in that research feels meaningful and rewarding.”
— Briana Fisher
“This is my first year with FeederWatch, and I doubled my feeders this year. I just moved my feeders to be out the window from my office and have been in awe over the sheer number and wide variety of birds we have visiting us this year. It is an incredible experience actually tracking the variety of birds we’re seeing.“
—Sarah Eggleston