Looking for a fun, free nature activity to do with the kids this October? The Aussie Bird Count returns from Monday 19 to Sunday 25 October 2026, and it’s grown into Australia’s largest annual citizen science event. All it takes is 20 minutes and a bit of keen eyesight.
What Is the Aussie Bird Count?
The Aussie Bird Count is run by BirdLife Australia during National Bird Week, with the goal of getting everyday Australians involved in bird conservation. Instead of leaving the data collection to scientists, tens of thousands of households, schools and community groups spend just 20 minutes counting the birds they see, and that combined data helps BirdLife Australia understand how our urban bird populations are faring.
For families, it’s an easy way to turn an ordinary walk or backyard afternoon into something that actually contributes to something bigger, while keeping kids engaged in looking and listening rather than scrolling.
How to Take Part
You can count from your backyard, a local park, the school yard, the beach or anywhere else you like to spend time outdoors. Pick one spot, count for 20 minutes, and record what you see using the free Aussie Bird Count app or the Submit a Count form on the Aussie Bird Count website.
You can count as many times as you like across the week. BirdLife Australia’s only ask is that each individual count is done over a full 20-minute period from a single spot, so you get a proper snapshot rather than a quick glance.
There’s no wrong time of day to count, though birds tend to be most active at dawn and dusk, so an early morning or late afternoon count is likely to turn up the most sightings.
Not Sure What You’re Looking At?
The app has a built-in Find a Bird tool where you can select a bird’s size, shape and colour to narrow down the species. It’s a genuinely useful way for beginners and kids to learn as they go, rather than needing to know their birds before they start.
If your family wants a head start before count week, our guide to Birdwatching with Kids covers how to identify common Australian birds and the gear worth having on hand.
Get Your School Involved
BirdLife Australia actively encourages schools to take part, and it’s a straightforward way to get a whole class outdoors for a science lesson that doesn’t feel like one. If you’re a parent keen to suggest it, point your child’s teacher to the Aussie Bird Count teachers page for classroom resources and sign-up details.
Last Year’s Results
The 2025 Aussie Bird Count was the biggest yet, with more than 64,000 Australians submitting over 150,000 checklists and counting more than 5 million birds nationally. The Australian Magpie took out top spot as the most commonly spotted bird, recorded in one in every two surveys, followed by the Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and Magpie-lark. Full results, including state and territory breakdowns, are published on the Aussie Bird Count website each year.
FAQ: Aussie Bird Count 2026
It runs for a full week, from Monday 19 October to Sunday 25 October 2026.
Yes, taking part is completely free. You just need the app or access to the web form during count week.
You’ll need to sign up through the app or website to submit your counts, which only takes a minute.
Yes, you can submit as many separate 20-minute counts as you like across the week. Every count adds to the data.
Use the app’s Find a Bird tool to narrow it down by size, shape and colour
It’s available on the App Store and Google Play.