The Great Texas Birding Classic
Celebrate 30 Years of the Great Texas Birding Classic!
The biggest, longest, wildest birdwatching tournament in the U.S.!
- 2026 official artwork by Raylee Schobel (American Oystercatchers with pearl)
Registration opens January 2026.
Until then, enjoy this early reveal of the 30th anniversary artwork by Birding Classic participant and artist, Raylee Schobel - a tribute to three decades of birding, conservation, and community.
Tournament Dates: April 15 – May 15, 2026
What is the Birding Classic?
The Great Texas Birding Classic is one of the largest and longest-running birdwatching tournaments in the country. Held each spring during peak migration, this month-long event challenges teams to find and identify as many bird species as possible—all while raising critical funds for bird conservation and habitat projects across Texas.
Organized by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Birding Classic offers multiple tournament categories for all ages, abilities, and experience levels—from a single backyard spot to an all-out statewide adventure.
Who Participates?
Everyone!
Whether you're brand-new to birding or a seasoned competitive lister, there's a place for you in the Birding Classic.
- Beginners, experts, and everyone in between
- Families, friends, and youth teams
- Birders of all abilities
- Backyard birders, state park visitors, and statewide travelers
Your registration fee directly supports Texas bird and birding conservation grants, so your team helps protect the birds we love.
How to Get Started
It's easy! Visit How to Participate for a step-by-step guide to help you put together and enter a team.
Gather your team. Choose your tournament category. Go birding.
Tips, Advice & Sponsorship Help
Want to make the most of your Birding Classic experience? Visit Tournament Advice and Sponsorship Tips for:
- Guidance for mentoring youth teams
- Advice from past winners on running successful Big Day or Weeklong team
- Tips for birding with blind or visually impaired birders
- Ideas for finding team sponsors to help offset registration costs
Thirty years of birds. Thirty years of fun. Thirty years of conservation.
Join us in celebrating the 30th Annual Great Texas Birding Classic in 2026!
Mission Statement
To increase appreciation, understanding, and conservation of birds through education, recreation, nature tourism, and conservation fundraising.
2025 Final Results (updated June 7, 2025)
2025 Team Rosters by Tournament Category
2025 Conservation Grant Projects Funded
The 2025 Great Texas Birding Classic occurred April 15-May 15, and 226 teams made up of more than 1,300 birders and naturalists participated throughout the state in various tournament categories all month. Final results were announced at the June 7 Awards Ceremony, sponsored by Audubon Texas, and winning teams have selected $60,000 in bird conservation and birding projects to be funded this year.
The 2025 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 2026 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.