Get twitching for Aussie Bird Count 2023

Will the rainbow lorikeet again reign supreme - if it does, it will be for the 10^th year running - or will it be toppled by runners-up, the noisy miner and Australian magpie?

Last year, more than 3.9 million birds of 620 species were counted, with the rest of the top 10 being the sulphur crested cockatoo, galah, house sparrow, welcome swallow, silver gull, red wattlebird and Australian white ibis.

The major mover and shaker in 2022 was the New Holland honeyeater, which leapt up four spots, to 11^th place.

Last year also saw the highest numbers of eastern koels in every state where it occurs - and counters didn't even have to go outside to know a koel was there as its loud and distinctive coo-ee call is easily heard.

Over the past five years, the koel has jumped more than 100 places in Victoria and 60 places in Canberra - "quite remarkable for a species that was a rarity there just 20 years ago," said Birdlife Australia's Sean Dooley.

Find out how your favourite bird faired HERE

One of Australia's greatest citizen science initiatives, the count asks people to step outside to their favourite spot and spend just 20 minutes observing and counting the birds. Then you simply record your findings on the Aussie Bird Count app or the web form.

You can participate as many times as you like during the count period - October 16-22 - but each count must be for 20 minutes.

If you're unsure about bird identification, a built-in "bird-finder" tool is available to help you out.

Sign up HERE