The Great Texas Birding Classic

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29th Annual Birding Classic

The biggest, longest, wildest birdwatching tournament in the U.S.!

2025 artwork
2025 official artwork by Laura Wolf (Upland Sandpiper, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Vermilion Flycatcher, Common Pauraque, Loggerhead Shrike, Great Kiskadee, Burrowing Owl)

2025 Birding Classic registration is now open! Gather your teammates and sign up today to be a part of the next Great Texas Birding Classic.

2025 Team Registration
Registration Deadline: April 1, 2025

Tournament Dates: April 15 – May 15, 2025


Who Participates?

  • 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 teams a step-by-step guide to help them put together and enter a team.

Visit Tournament Advice and Sponsorship Tips for tips on mentoring youth teams, advice from former winners on how to run a successful Big Day or the Weeklong tournament, pointers on birding with blind or visually impaired birders, and even advice on finding team sponsors to save you some money in registration fees.

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The 2024 event was made possible by donations from event sponsors Texas Ornithological Society,  Toyota, Awards Ceremony sponsor Audubon Texas, and team registration fees and corporate and community team sponsorship. Learn more if your organization is interested in sponsoring the 2025 event. 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.

 

2024 Birding Classic Final Results
2024 Conservation Grant Projects Funded

The 2024 Great Texas Birding Classic occurred April 15-May 15, and 212 teams made up of more than 1,200 birders and naturalists are participating throughout the state in various tournament categories all month. Final results were announced at the June 1 Awards Ceremony, sponsored by Audubon Texas, and winning teams will select bird conservation and birding projects that will be funded this year. Be sure to check out the Birding Classic Facebook page to see photos from the field during the tournament.