The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual citizen science project that encourages people to observe and count birds in their backyards, parks, or natural areas. Participants record the number and types of birds they see over a four-day period in February. This data helps scientists track bird populations and migration patterns. Launched in 1998, the event is a collaboration between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and the Bird Studies Canada. It aims to engage the public in birdwatching while contributing valuable information to ornithological research and conservation efforts.