Just listen to the Song Sparrow’s sweet sound. Songs and calls are often the best ways to identify birds—especially sparrows! This widespread and common sparrow starts its song with abrupt, well-spaced notes, rings out 2–6 phrases, and finishes with a buzz or trill. Keep an ear out for this bird in green spaces across much of the United States and Canada—there may be one singing next time you go for a walk in the park! What birds are you hearing nearby? Merlin Bird ID can be a great guide to lea

Join the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada for the Great Backyard Bird Count, which begins today February 14 and runs through Feb. 17! You can be anywhere in the world, any age, and any level of experience. Count with friends, count on your own, count for 15 minutes, count for 15 hours! And then let us know what you see – you can also share photos. Your observations help researchers learn more about birds and how to help them. Make sure your observations coun