Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)

About Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)

• It is an annual, four-day event that engages bird enthusiasts of all ages around the world in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. 
• It was launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society.
• It was established to help researchers learn more about how birds are doing and how to protect them and the environment.
• How is it done? Participants count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online.
• Who can participate? Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts. One can participate from his/her backyard, or anywhere in the world.
• Significance: Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are distributed across the country and how they are affected by changes in habitat and weather.
• India and GBBC:
  • Indian birders have participated in the GBBC since 2013.
  • In India, GBBC is coordinated by the Bird Count India (BCI) collective, a coming-together of a number of groups and organisations that are interested in birds, nature, and conservation.

Q1) What is BirdLife International?

BirdLife International is a global Partnership of over 100 national conservation organisations with a focus on birds and working together on shared priorities, policies and programmes of conservation exchanging skills, achievements and information, and so growing in ability, authority and influence. Each Partner represents a unique geographical area or territory (usually a country).

Source: Can India secure top spot in reported bird species this year?