Community Science Christmas Bird Count

Access Christmas Bird Count Results

All users of CBC data must agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and review the appropriate README file and documentation (provided below). By clicking on the link to access the CBC count results application, you are agreeing to the Terms of Use for Christmas Bird Count Data. 

Access CBC Count Results

The above link connects to a data application that allows users to explore and download current and historical raw CBC count data. This application will be updated in the near future, and currently has some reduced functionality. Anyone who is unable to obtain their desired dataset through the application can fill out the raw data request form. To view and download population trends derived from CBC data, visit our Audubon Christmas Bird Count Trend Viewer. 

We would like to know how CBC data are being used! Please consider filling in this form to provide a description of research or project for which you are requesting CBC data.

CBC Data Documentation

Raw Data README file [link when available]

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Terms of Use for Christmas Bird Count® Data & Derived Products

Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a National Audubon Society owned and operated community science and research program. CBC data and derived products (hereafter “CBC data assets”) are housed on Audubon-owned servers and are accessible only through the Audubon web portal or those of Audubon’s CBC partners. These Terms of Use govern your access to and use of CBC data assets. Please read these terms carefully. By accessing CBC data assets, you agree to be bound by these Terms and by our Privacy Policy.

To maintain data integrity, Audubon strategically and routinely reviews CBC data assets for errors and plans corrections in coordination with program Compilers, Regional Editors, and our partners. Because the Audubon-controlled CBC database is the only database we review and the only official record of the CBC, only CBC data assets derived from this database should be considered reliable. 

CBC data assets are provided 'as-is.' While the National Audubon Society makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of these assets, we make no warranties, express or implied, regarding:

  • The accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the data assets, including changes in the taxonomy and classification of species.

  • The fitness of the data assets for any particular purpose

  • The absence of errors or interruptions in data asset access

  • The results obtained from use of the data assets

Users acknowledge that they use the data assets at their own risk, and the National Audubon Society shall not be liable for any decisions, actions, or conclusions made based on the data assets obtained. By using any CBC data asset, you are confirming you have reviewed the associated README file.

Audubon owns the intellectual property rights associated with the Christmas Bird Count and CBC data assets, including the trademarks NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY, AUDUBON and CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT (“Audubon Marks”). You understand and agree that without a written license from Audubon, you may not make any use of the Audubon Marks. 

CBC data assets are available in several forms. Raw data is available to the general public via an online raw data portal. If you are unable to obtain your desired dataset through the raw data portal, you can complete a raw data request form. To view and download population trends derived from CBC data, visit the Audubon Christmas Bird Count Trend Viewer.  

Persons wishing to download or use any CBC data asset must agree and adhere to the following:  

Data Asset Use

  • CBC data assets may be provided for analytical use by researchers, academics, and government agencies for:

    • Academic research and publications

    • Non-profit conservation work

    • Public education and outreach

    • Government agency assessments and reports

    • Student projects and thesis work

  • CBC data assets may not be used for commercial purposes without specific written permission (cbcadmin@audubon.org). Commercial purposes include, but are not limited to:

    • Sale or resale of CBC data assets

    • Incorporation into commercial products or applications

    • Use in for-profit publications or reports

    • Marketing or promotional materials for commercial entities

    • Development of commercial software or tools

  • Paid consulting services or environmental assessments may use CBC data assets when the primary purpose is conservation-oriented, such as:

    • Environmental impact assessments for habitat conservation

    • Wildlife conservation planning

    • Species protection initiatives

    • Ecological restoration projects

    • Biodiversity management plans

Data Asset Sharing

  • CBC data is provided to you on a one-time basis only, unless otherwise provided by written permission (cbcadmin@audubon.org). Your use of CBC data is personal to you and may not be shared with any third party, unless required by publication outlets with open data policies.

  • Sharing of annual CBC count results and/or reports by CBC circle leaders or partners in narrative, graphical, or tabular form (printed or online) is permitted and does not need explicit permission from Audubon.

  • Persons wishing to share CBC data assets on a permanent computerized databank (including on any mobile device or mobile or desktop application) or in any format that permits querying, must obtain written permission (cbcadmin@audubon.org). 

Data Asset Products and Publications

  • Audubon and the volunteers who collected the CBC data must be credited in all published (print and online) material containing CBC data assets, including scientific papers, articles, adverts, talks and slides with the following: “CBC data assets are provided by the National Audubon Society and through the generous efforts of Birds Canada and countless volunteers across the Western Hemisphere.”  

  • Where possible, you should provide a link to the Audubon and CBC websites (www.audubon.org, www.christmasbirdcount.org) and, when using CBC data collected in Canada, Birds Canada (www.birdscanada.org), Audubon's Canadian CBC partner. Literature that cites CBC data should use one of the following citation formats to reference CBC data assets: 

    • For raw data: National Audubon Society (2020). Christmas Bird Count Results [Online]. Available http://www.christmasbirdcount.org. (Accessed: Date [e.g., March 4, 2024])

    • For trends: Meehan, T.D., LeBaron, G.S., Dale, K., Krump, A., Michel, N.L., Wilsey, C.B. 2022. Trends in relative abundance for birds wintering in the continental USA and Canada: Audubon Christmas Bird Counts, 1966-2021, version 4.0. National Audubon Society, New York, New York, USA.

  • Audubon partners must be included as co-authors in any published work that uses CBC data assets when they have made substantial contributions to the work. When Audubon partners have contributed substantially to the work, they must be given the opportunity to review and approve the final product before submission or publication. Substantial contributions include but are not limited to:

    • Significant involvement in data analysis

    • Substantial intellectual contribution to study design

    • Material support in methodology development

    • Meaningful contribution to interpretation of results

    • Significant technical or statistical support

    • Substantial involvement in manuscript preparation or revision

Data Security

  • CBC data assets containing personally identifiable information (PII) may not be shared, published, distributed, or made public in any form or through any medium. This restriction applies to all users of CBC data assets, regardless of intended use or permission status. Aggregated participant statistics (such as total number of observers) may be shared without identifying individuals.