Global Big Day 2026 to Be Held Worldwide on May 9
This Saturday, May 9, a new edition of Global Big Day will take place. This global competition invites participants to observe and record wild birds. More than 200 countries are taking part, including Peru, which stands out for its wide variety of birds and its immense biodiversity.
The event will bring together thousands of birdwatchers and experts across the country. Thus, Peru will have a great opportunity to showcase its natural wealth to the world. It will also be able to strengthen its image as one of the best destinations for birdwatching.
The Cornell University Lab of Ornithology is organizing this event. It also invites scientists, enthusiasts, and citizens to record as many species as possible in a single day using the eBird platform. As a result, this initiative supports citizen science and also aids in the conservation of biodiversity across the globe.
Peru Shines at Global Big Day
Peru stands out at this event due to its impressive natural wealth. Furthermore, this diversity places it among the countries with the highest biodiversity in the world.
Our country has more than 1,800 recorded bird species. As a result, it ranks second in the world in bird diversity and is established as an ideal destination for birdwatching and study.
Furthermore, Peru is home to 118 endemic bird species—that is, species found only within our territory. For this reason, the country plays a key role in protecting unique species and holds an important place on the global biodiversity map.
Peru, Runner-Up in the 2025 Global Big Day
In the 2025 edition of the Global Big Day, Peru once again ranked among the world’s best. This time, it took second place, trailing only Colombia, after recording nearly 1,300 species in a single day.
This result demonstrated the country’s commitment to protecting its wildlife. It also reflected the enthusiasm of its birdwatching community.
Several regions of Peru stand out for their great diversity of birds and their consistent participation in this event. Among them are Cusco, Madre de Dios, Junín, Huánuco, Pasco, San Martín, Amazonas, and Cajamarca. Additionally, these regions have unique ecosystems that support a wide variety of species.
Participation in Global Big Day also boosts specialized tourism. As a result, Peru positions itself as an ideal destination for birdwatching. Every year, birdwatchers from around the world visit the country in search of rare species and landscapes of great ecological value.
In this regard, Global Big Day serves as a major international showcase. Through it, Peru demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and the protection of its natural heritage. Furthermore, collaboration among communities, scientists, and authorities is key to strengthening these efforts.
Looking ahead to the 2026 edition, Peru is preparing to once again stand out in the global rankings. It seeks to reaffirm its leadership in biodiversity and its ability to bring together thousands of people in support of conservation. Once again, the country will demonstrate that its natural wealth is a source of pride that must be valued and protected.
Regarding these achievements, Minister José Reyes Llanos noted that Peru is moving toward a tourism sector with greater innovation, technology, and data utilization. He also explained that these tools help improve destinations and provide real benefits to communities. He further emphasized that these results stem from the joint efforts of the national government, regional and local governments, the private sector, and academia.
With these results, Peru confirms its important role in the Ibero-American Network of Smart Tourism Destinations. Furthermore, it consolidates its position as a regional leader in this model. Thus, the country is moving toward a more modern, sustainable, and competitive tourism sector.