Spring has arrived and so has Australia’s favourite citizen science event.
A national celebration of the country’s diverse birdlife, from magpies and fairy-wrens to cockatoos, curlews and honeyeaters, the 2025 Aussie Bird Count is taking flight for its 12th year, with registrations now open.
From Monday 20 to Sunday 26 October, BirdLife Australia is inviting people of all ages to take 20 minutes out of their day to spot, identify, and count the birds around them.
Last year, more than 57,000 participants across Australia submitted almost 130,000 checklists and logged more than 4.1 million birds using the free Aussie Bird Count app.
Bold, adaptable species – the Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, and Australian Magpie – again topped the charts nationally.
In Queensland 885,068 bird sightings across 435 species were recorded last year.
Across the state, the Rainbow Lorikeet came in on top with 144,036 recorded sightings during the count, compared with 161,127 in 2023, followed by the Noisy Miner (73,545/66,525) and the Torresian Crow (32,061/32,869)
The three rarest birds seen in Queensland in 2024 with just one recorded sighting each were the Crested Bellbird, the Spotted Quail-thrush and the Striated Grasswren.
BirdLife Australia, the national bird conservation charity behind the Aussie Bird Count, says the event is an important step towards connection between people, place and purpose.
“It’s not about being a bird expert,” BirdLife Australia National Public Affairs Manager Sean Dooley said.
“It’s about spending time outdoors and learning something new about your local environment.
“The Aussie Bird Count shows how citizen science can bring families and communities together while contributing to our understanding of Australia’s unique wildlife.
“A simple 20-minute activity can become an annual family tradition that teaches everyone about observation and nature.”
With more than a decade of data, the Aussie Bird Count results provide insights into trends in urban bird populations, contributing to a dataset that helps to guide future awareness campaigns, conservation priorities, and community education.
BirdLife Australia CEO Kate Millar said birds were indicators of environmental health.
“One in six Australian bird species is now under threat, so taking note of the birds around us has never been more important,” Ms Millar said.
“It’s also often a first step on a longer journey of curiosity, from noticing birds to caring about them, and from caring to protecting.
“Whether you’re a regular birder or someone who just enjoys the occasional kookaburra laugh or lorikeet fly-by, we’re inviting everyone across the country to pause, step outside, and count the birds that share their skies, gardens, and daily walks.”
How to take part
1. Pick your spot – anywhere you like, from your backyard to your favourite park or garden
2. Spend 20 minutes quietly observing the birds you see
3. Submit your count using the Aussie Bird Count app, which will help you identify the birds you see and hear
You can go out and count as many times as you like during Bird Week as long as each count lasts 20 minutes and is submitted separately.
Download the free Aussie Bird Count app or visit aussiebirdcount.org.au to register
