Project FeederWatch
Keeping tabs on winter birds for 40 years and counting
Learn How FeederWatch WorksCelebrating 40 Years: Watch the New FeederWatch Film
For many participants, FeederWatch is about more than the science. It is a treasured winter tradition, one that brings wonder, joy, peace, and community. This film celebrates what FeederWatch means to those who participate and emphasizes that we all have much to gain by connecting with the natural world, in big ways and small.
Watch FeederWatch’s new documentary film below:
Turn Your Love of Birdwatching into New Discoveries
Project FeederWatch is a place-based participatory science program keeping tabs on winter birds in the United States and Canada. For forty years, FeederWatchers have documented their backyard birds, transforming everyday observations into a powerful long-term dataset. Together, FeederWatchers have helped track population trends and range shifts, monitor avian diseases, and uncover exciting revelations about the day-to-day lives of backyard birds. Increasingly, the scientists behind Project FeederWatch are using data collected by participants to learn more about bird-friendly action and what we can all do to help our local birds thrive.
You Can Participate!
Your bird observations could be part of something bigger.
Join the FeederWatch community today!
Community Events
 Explore our upcoming events, register for webinars, and connect with the FeederWatch community.
Observations from FeederWatchers Contribute to a Greater Understanding of Nature
 Explore insights into winter bird populations, powered by your observations.
Top 25 BirdsExplore which birds are reported most frequently in your state, province, or region
Trend GraphsInvestigate if populations of your favorite species are increasing, remaining stable, or decreasing in your region
Scientific PublicationsExplore FeederWatch data in recent scientific publications
Together We Can Help Birds Thrive
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.
Join the Thousands of FeederWatchers Counting Birds This Winter!
“When most folks are dreading the coming winter months, Iâm anticipating the days I get to count birds for Project FeederWatch. Iâve done it for so long, I canât imagine not counting. And to be able to go back and compare past years with the present, itâs priceless. As long as Iâm able, I will always be a returning FeederWatcher!“
âJo Johnstone
“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.“
âJennifer 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.“
âLoretta 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.”
â Briana Fisher
“I have always loved nature, and FeederWatch has given me a better appreciation for what we can do to improve our environment and help birds at the same time. I have changed my gardening practices because of FeederWatch. My original gardening consisted of a lawn with a few flowers and a big vegetable garden, and now I garden for the birds, butterflies and bees.“
âEileen Kleps
