More About Frank Chapman

Frank Michler Chapman (1864–1945) was a self-taught ornithologist. He was the associate Curator of Mammals and Birds before becoming the Curator of Birds in 1908 at the American Museum of Natural History. His magazine, Bird-Lore, eventually became Audubon Magazine, which is still published today.

In the modern Audubon Christmas Bird Count, each count area is a circle. A map point is identified and a circle with a diameter of 15 miles is drawn around it. This is the count circle. In November, birders sign up to participate in the count with local bird clubs and Audubon Societies. During one 24-hour period on a day between December 14 and January 5, each circle counts birds, compiles data, and reports to the National Audubon Society.