Help scientists to understand how birds have adapted to urban environments by getting involved in the Big City Birds citizen science project. The project focuses on five bird species that have been observed adapting to human modified areas (e.g. cities and farms). These species are the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Australian Brush-turkey, Australian White Ibis, Little Corella, and Long-billed Corella.

You don’t have to live in a big city to get involved – observations can be submitted from all over Australia! Citizen scientists can report their sightings using the Big City Birds app or website. Participants can report on the birds’ whereabouts, behaviours, and nest sites. The data collected will help scientists understand these species’ behaviour, movement, reproduction, distribution, and habitat use in suburban areas. This information will help researchers to understand the behavioural traits that have allowed some species to adapt to city living.

Image credit: Willem van Aken, CSIRO Science Image Database