The Great Texas Birding Classic
25th Annual Birding Classic
The biggest, longest, wildest birdwatching tournament in the U.S.!
Texas Parks and Wildlife has updated the 2021 Birding Classic rules to be in compliance with Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-34 which is in effect starting March 10, 2021
Tournament Dates: April 15-May 15, 2021
- 2021 official artwork by Christina Baal (Belted Kingfisher)
Registration Deadline: April 1, 2021
Conservation Grant Deadline: May 1, 2021
What is the Birding Classic? Who can join the fun?
- All levels and ages of birders are welcome to join this Texas birdwatching event during the amazing spring migration.
- There's a tournament category for everyone - from the beginning backyard birder to the competitive lister!
- Registration fees raise money for Texas bird and birding conservation project grants.
- Gather your team, register, and go birding - it's truly that simple.
How to Participate gives you a step-by-step guide to help you put together and enter your team.
The health and safety of our Birding Classic participants, staff, and the birding community are paramount, so we made some rule modifications and tweaked tournament categories to better suit the ever-evolving pandemic guidelines for the state of Texas. Review all 2021 tournament rules here. The tournament categories in 2021 were also changed slightly, so go over the details for each tournament category to learn more about how each category works (length of time in the field, number of team members, dispersed vs. intact flock team rules, etc.).
Visit Tournament Advice and Sponsorship Tips for tips on mentoring youth teams, advice from former winners on how to run a successful Big Day tournament, and even advice on finding team sponsors to save you some money in registration fees.
This event is made possible by donations from event sponsors Texas Ornithological Society and Toyota, Awards Ceremony sponsor Audubon Texas, and team registration fees and corporate and community team sponsorship. Habitat conservation grants awarded are funded through event sponsorship and registration fees. The birds are counting on you!
Sign Up for Email Updates
Stay informed on Birding Classic registration deadlines, conservation grant proposal due dates, tips leading up to the big event, and more.
Have questions? Visit the contact section to talk directly to Birding Classic staff.
Mission Statement
To increase appreciation, understanding, and conservation of birds through education, recreation, nature tourism, and conservation fundraising.
Thanks to all of the teams, youth mentors, event sponsors Texas Ornithological Society, Toyota and Swarovski Optik, and Awards Ceremonies sponsor Audubon Texas for making 2020 an outstanding success!