HOW TO COUNT BIRDS?

• Actual numbers of individuals can be counted if the birds are in small flocks which can be counted easily.
• If the flocks are scattered or tightly packed, or at distant, or in flight; ‘Block counting’ method shall be adopted. This method involves counting or estimating a "block" of birds within a flock. Depending on the overall flock size a "block" can be 10, 20 or 50 birds. The "block" is then used as a model to measure the remainder of the flock. For example, in the figure given below the first square from left has 9 birds. So, 9×6 (total number of squares) = 54 and 4 birds are outside the squares and hence in total 58 birds.