LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Feb. 1, 2011 — While Donald Duck may be the most famous bird at Walt Disney World Resort, he’s not the only one. He’s apparently got a lot of company.
On a recent day in January, Disney cast members and friends counted as many as 14,000 birds, representing at least 110 different species around the resort. This day-long census was conducted during the first Holiday Bird Count at Walt Disney World. The one-day bird-fest enabled birders of all skill levels to join together to help determine which birds are found in Central Florida during the winter. The event was modeled after the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count, which began in 1900 as a way for scientists to track trends in bird populations.
“As part of our commitment to conserving bird species, we’re excited to engage our cast members in citizen science projects,” said senior conservation biologist Dr. Anne Savage, Ph.D. “Ultimately, our goal is to protect birds and their habitat and one of the best ways to do that is by sharing the amazing stories of wildlife found in Florida and around the world.”
At Walt Disney World Resort, it appears that the most abundant bird species is the fish crow, with 2,725 of them cited. White ibises ranked second with over 1,000 birds roosting by Oasis in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The bird counters also noted some new species to the list, including Brown Pelicans, Hooded and Black-throated Green Warblers, a Forster’s Tern, a Pine Siskin, a Vesper Sparrow and a Shiny Cowbird.
But the most photographed bird of the day was a life-sized duck wearing a sombrero in the Mexico Pavilion. Donald Duck showed his appreciation for the volunteers by posing for pictures with his bird-friendly admirers.
Trending Now
Amazon is clearing out the Disney vault!
Get your calendars out; we know when Disney World Christmas party tickets go on sale!
Donald Duck is back in his official meet and greet spot in EPCOT!
We asked our resident Disney adults which ride at Hollywood Studios they would rope drop...
Amazon has Loungeflys on sale as part of Prime Day!
Everyone say hello to Whimsy!
Amazon Prime Day is here with some HUGE deals on Disney souvenirs.
Let's breakdown the major changes coming to Disney World this Fall 2025.
Should this iconic Hollywood Studios symbol be moved or stay in its original location?
Amazon Prime Day is giving us amazing deals on Oura Ring accessories!
Here's why you might want to skip your visit to Disney World this year.
Disney's Boardwalk Villas got a scathing review recently that could indicate some issues with a...
These retro LEGO sets are perfect for Disney Adults!
Disney just released a whole bunch of new Christmas ornaments online!
We found the best Disney essentials you can get on sale on Amazon right now!
This Destination D23 is going to be HUGE, and we're watching you Disney, always watching!
Let’s be real: Disney World is basically a maze of vibes, snacks, and tiny details...
Big update from this Disney World ice cream spot -- getting sundaes just got a...
Let's have a chat about an Oura Ring that Disney Adults just can’t seem to...
Disney Adults are bracing for a big 2026!