With one of the lowest counts in recent years, the 2004 La Crosse Christmas Bird Count totalled only 6,596 birds of 47 species. The strong afternoon winds undoubtedly played a part in the low numbers. Unusual sightings for the count day included large numbers of Tundra Swans and Canada Geese, four Belted Kingfishers and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, all still in the area because of the warm temperatures.

Birds commonly found on the count that were absent this year include various species of ducks, the Rough-legged Hawk, the Eastern Bluebird and the Red-winged Blackbird. The American Robin continued its interesting every other year cycle and 104 of them were sighted. The downtown Peregrine Falcon was seen during the count week, as was the very rare (for this area) Hooded Oriole.