Before the 20th century, some North Americans organized ‘Christmas side hunts’ in which participants would choose sides, then compete to bag as many birds as possible. In 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman suggested a bird census instead, and the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was born. The annual count is sponsored by the National Audubon Society. This year, the CBC runs from today through January 5, 2019, giving citizen scientists across North America time to join in, get outside, and spot some birds. The data collected is used to gauge the health of various bird populations–this information is then used to focus conservation efforts on particular species and geographical areas.
Time to count some birds
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Rainbow Mountain
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It’s Canada’s national day
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Waiānapanapa State Park, Maui, Hawaii
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Women s suffrage at 100
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Irohazaka road
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Kluane National Park
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A courtyard scene from Spain
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Guilin and Lijiang River National Park, China
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Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
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Southern right whale
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Why does this panda cub look so happy?
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Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
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Schönbrunn Palace Park, Vienna, Austria
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Castelmezzano, Italy
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Winter solstice
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World Turtle Day
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Gardens by the Bay nature park, Singapore
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The ruins of a Maya superpower
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National Audubon Society s Christmas Bird Count
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The 80th anniversary of D-Day
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Can you see the family resemblance?
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Happy Pi Day!
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Fighting evil with costumes
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International Surfing Day
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It’s Endangered Species Day
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Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba
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Bridge of Hillsborough County
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New Year s Day
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First day of summer
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The city of Osaka at night, Japan