There is the well-known Christmas Bird Count, an Audubon event of many years. This winter census of birds requires one to tromp around outside in cold weather. There also is the lesser well-known (by a long shot) Christmas Card Bird Count. To participate, you simply keep track of the species of birds that appear on holiday cards you receive. You can do this in your pajamas if you wish. We’re not doing very well at our house at the moment, only four species on our list: Bald Eagle, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, and Northern Cardinal. We hope this list will grow. One year we received one card that carried the images of 16 different bird species! It gave us our best year ever, but I can’t remember the total number of species we recorded.Play along. Post your list totals here. Unidentifiable birds do not count, Hallmark birds, for instance, carrying tinsel in their beaks and sitting on Santa’s shoulder. Only real birds, like the Mourning Dove above. Â

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