Since 1993, BirdLife International has held World Birdwatch Day . In 1995, more than 115,000 people from 77 countries participated in this remarkable event, aimed at raising public awareness of bird and habitat conservation issues. Participants were drawn to over two million birds representing 2,764 different species. In 1997, under the auspices of BirdLife International, international birdwatching days were held in more than 88 countries, with over 184,000 people worldwide participating. During these days, the global list of observed species included 5,935 bird species, representing approximately 60% of the world’s total avian fauna. Kenya, Colombia, and Brazil compiled the largest national lists of observed birds—777, 1,137, and 820 species, respectively, in 48 hours. Currently, bird observations are carried out by representatives from more than 100 countries.
Birdwatching Days have been held in Russia since 1995, organized by the Russian Bird Conservation Union, a non-profit charitable organization. Each country celebrates this day differently: in Spanish-speaking countries, it’s celebrated with noisy, carnival-like “Bird Festivals,” while in European countries, it’s group nature excursions with professional ornithologists, various bird book fairs, and exhibitions and sales of postcards and stamps featuring birds. Children’s bird drawing contests, pavement painting contests, and other such events are very popular and attract large crowds. However, the main goal of World Birdwatching Days is to draw as many people’s attention as possible to the world of birds and the conservation issues they represent.
World Birdwatching Day is an ideal opportunity to introduce people to the wonderful world of birds, to convey our special feelings about observing their lives and our concern for their future.
Start Date: 05.10.2026
End Date: 06.10.2026