When is National Bird Day?
National Bird Day 2027 is on Tuesday
Tuesday, January 5, 2027
January 5 every year. That's in 80 days.
until National Bird Day begins, in your time zone
National Bird Day draws attention to the welfare of birds kept in captivity, the trade in wild-caught and mass-bred pet birds, and the protection of wild birds. The Avian Welfare Coalition established it in 2002.
About National Bird Day
National Bird Day is a day of education and action about birds, with a particular focus on parrots and other exotic species sold as pets. Its organizers point out that even captive-bred parrots are wild animals rather than domesticated ones, with strong needs to fly, forage and live in flocks that few homes can meet. Rescues and sanctuaries across the US take in birds whose owners can no longer care for them, and many of these birds can live for decades.
The Avian Welfare Coalition, a US nonprofit that has advocated for captive birds since 2000, established January 5 as National Bird Day in January 2002. The coalition's campaign urges people not to buy birds from pet stores or breeders, to adopt from rescues instead, and to support the conservation of wild bird habitat. The animal protection group Born Free USA has also promoted the day for many years, describing it as a time to focus on both captive and wild birds.
The modern observance is separate from an older American tradition. The first school Bird Day was held in Oil City, Pennsylvania, on May 4, 1894, organized by school superintendent Charles Babcock and modeled on Arbor Day, with children studying and writing about local birds. It is also distinct from World Migratory Bird Day, a separate international campaign held in May and October. National Bird Day has no official government status.
Sources: Avian Welfare Coalition: National Bird Day, Avian Welfare Coalition: About us and achievements (January 2002, establishment of National Bird Day), Born Free USA: Celebrate National Bird Day! (2016), Kevin C. Armitage, Bird Day for Kids: Progressive Conservation in Theory and Practice, Environmental History 12(3), 2007 (archived). How we check dates.
How to mark National Bird Day
- If you're thinking about a parrot or other pet bird, contact a bird rescue first and ask honestly about lifespan, noise, space and daily care.
- Donate to or volunteer with an avian rescue or sanctuary near you.
- Put out clean water and suitable seed or suet for wild birds in winter, and clean feeders regularly to limit disease.
- Reduce window collisions at home with screens, external decals or patterned film on large panes.
- Spend twenty minutes watching birds in a park or yard and try to identify them with a field guide or a free bird ID app.
- Keep pet cats indoors or supervised outside so they don't hunt wild birds.
National Bird Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Sunday, January 5, 2025 |
| 2026 | Monday, January 5, 2026 |
| 2027 | Tuesday, January 5, 2027 |
| 2028 | Wednesday, January 5, 2028 |
| 2029 | Friday, January 5, 2029 |
| 2030 | Saturday, January 5, 2030 |
| 2031 | Sunday, January 5, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is National Bird Day 2027?
National Bird Day 2027 is on Tuesday, January 5, 2027. It falls on January 5 every year. In 2028, it is on Wednesday, January 5, 2028.
Who created National Bird Day?
The Avian Welfare Coalition, a US nonprofit focused on captive birds, established National Bird Day on January 5, 2002. Born Free USA has also been a long-time promoter of the day.
Is National Bird Day the same as Bird Day?
No. The original Bird Day was a school observance started in Oil City, Pennsylvania, in 1894, and held in spring. National Bird Day on January 5 is a modern bird welfare and conservation campaign that began in 2002.
Is National Bird Day a public holiday?
No. National Bird Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.