Bird Studies Canada is a 4-star charity. It has an average results reporting grade and reasonable overhead costs. 

Founded in 1960, Bird Studies Canada (Birds Canada) works to conserve wild birds in Canada through science, partnerships, public engagement, and advocacy. Bird Studies Canada conducts research, takes direct conservation action, and runs educational programs. In its Canada State of Birds 2019 publication, Bird Studies Canada reports that Canada has lost 40-60% of shorebird, grassland bird, and aerial insectivore populations. In the last decade, 80% of bird species identified as threatened or endangered in Canada have been aerial insectivores or grassland birds. 

In F2021, the charity published 165 peer-reviewed studies and postgraduate theses. Bird Studies Canada’s Motus Wildlife Tracking System collaborates with an international research network to track hundreds of species of birds, bats, and insects. Over 400 migration studies have benefited from the charity’s 1,200+ telemetry stations.  

In F2021, Birds Canada processed 20k requests for bird data through its main data portal, NatureCounts. The charity’s eBird program is a research and monitoring program where Citizen Scientists can upload their own bird observations and findings for others to see. As of F2021, almost 75k Canadians have submitted over 8m checklists totalling 684 bird species.  

Bird Studies Canada’s education and advocacy programs help Canadians discover birds and learn to make meaningful change. In F2021, over 10k people participated in the Toronto Bird Celebration virtual events. 55 schools participated in distance learning programs with Birds Canada ornithologists and educators. The charity's Bird Blitz at Home program is a virtual program where participants make and share observations of the birds around them. In F2021, over 600 students participated in the Bird Blitz at Home program.  

Bird Studies Canada had donations and special events revenue of $3.2m in F2021. Administrative costs are 9% of revenues (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 7% of donations. Bird Studies Canada spends 16% on overhead. For every dollar donated, 84 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

Bird Studies Canada has $7.3m in net funding reserves. The charity’s reserves can cover 1.3 years of annual program costs.  

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Bird Studies Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on May 27, 2022 by Emma Saganowich.