By Olivia Carvalho, Community Engagement Specialist, Birds Canada
The 28th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was a massive success, with bird enthusiasts across Canada and around the world coming together to share their sightings. This year’s count shattered records, with global participants identifying an incredible 8,078 species—158 more than last year. Here in Canada, birders showed up in full force, submitting tens of thousands of checklists and doubling their use of the Merlin Bird ID app. Wow! From backyard feeders to heading out in extreme winter temperatures, people across Canada proved once again that our passion for birds knows no bounds.
Global Results
Species: 8,078
Participating Countries: 217
eBird Checklists: 387,652
Merlin Bird IDs: 655,549
Canada played a leading role in this year’s count, ranking third in the world for eBird checklist submissions. In just four days, a total of 24,099 Merlin Bird IDs and 26,420 eBird checklists were sent in from every province and territory, documenting 247 unique bird species in Canada. Whether it was spotting flocks of winter finches in the Prairies, scanning the coasts for seabirds, or catching a glimpse of an owl in the boreal forest, Canadians made sure our birds were counted. Read on for more highlights!
Canada’s GBBC 2025 Highlights
- British Columbia stole the show with the highest species diversity—195 species reported from 4,428 checklists and 8,309 Merlin IDs. With its mix of coastal, forest, and mountain habitats, it’s no surprise B.C. led the pack.
- A large flock of 2000 Iceland Gulls were spotted during the count in St. Johns, Newfoundland by Bruce Mactavish
- Ontario submitted the most checklists—8,161 in total—helping document 150 species across the province.
- An amazing 400 Common Ravens were seen in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories by Reid Hildebrandt
- Nova Scotia had a standout year, with birders recording 123 species, proving that the Maritimes are full of winter birding action!
- A group of 742 Snow Buntings were spotted near Flin Flon, Manitoba by Joel Kayer
But this wasn’t just about a few standout regions and sites—every single province and territory contributed valuable data, showcasing the incredible bird diversity across Canada during the winter.
Evening Grosbeak. Photo: Mark Duchene
Merlin Bird ID Use More Than Doubles
One of the biggest stories of this year’s count was the explosion in Merlin Bird ID app submissions. Canadians used the app a staggering 24,099 times—more than double last year’s numbers! This surge in Merlin use shows that more and more people are getting involved in birding, whether they’re seasoned birders or just getting started. Yukon, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec saw some of the biggest jumps, proving that interest in birding is spreading far and wide.
A Huge Win for Birds and Birders Alike
The 2025 GBBC was more than just a fun weekend of birding—it was proof that people in Canada are more engaged than ever in bird conservation. Every single checklist and Merlin submission helps scientists track bird populations, identify trends, and protect habitats. And let’s be real—there’s nothing better than spotting a cool bird and knowing you’re part of something bigger. A massive thank you to everyone who participated in what has become the biggest weekend of the year for birding! Hope to see you all in 2026.
Red-tailed Hawk. Photo: Peter Ferguson
Put Your Care for Birds Into Action
Want to dig into all the numbers, including global stats and top species spotted? Check out the full results at birdcount.org. And if you missed out this year, don’t worry – there are more ways to get involved this year for avian conservation.
Create Native Plant Habitat for Birds
Our Gardening for Birds website and resources are designed to help you take conservation action at home by making it easy to design and plant a garden that is great for birds. Whether you have an existing garden that could use a few tweaks or an expansive lawn that you’re hoping to transform for the benefit of nature, this website will give you a head start on welcoming more birds to your place! You will find details on 500+ plant species from which you can select those most compatible with your area and your garden plan.
Take a Free Course on Birds Canada Learn
The first step in protecting and conserving Canada’s wild birds is learning about them! In this course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to start birding wherever you are in Canada. Enroll now in Birding for Beginners!