Latin America & Caribbean Christmas Bird Count Species Trends

For the first time in the Christmas Bird Count's 126 year history, Audubon has produced bird population trends for species found in Latin America and the Caribbean. This milestone effort analyzes 44 species using a decade of standardized data (2013–2023) from 182 count circles across the region. The findings reveal a complex picture: some species like Black-crowned Night Herons are thriving, while others like Blue-black Grassquits face concerning declines. These trends provide the scientific foundation that has been missing from conservation planning in the region—showing us where birds need help most and where conservation efforts may be working. 

These insights exist because of thousands of volunteers who count birds every year between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5, transforming individual observations into actionable conservation science. From pioneering circles like San Blas, Mexico (established 1973) to transformative community efforts like those in Río Upano, Ecuador, the dedication of Christmas Bird Count participants across Latin America and the Caribbean has built the datasets that make these trends possible. As participation continues to expand—supported by local partner organizations—future analyses will become even more robust, providing trend data for hundreds more species and finer geographic detail to guide conservation across the hemisphere.