Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Eight Birds. One Competition. YOU Decide who Takes the Crown.

Voting starts next week, join us on IG and FB to follow along.

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Audubon California
California Bird of the Year tournament graphic on a teal background. Eight bird photos are arranged in two columns around a white, hand-drawn bracket: Tricolored Blackbird, California Condor, Surf Scoter, and Western Snowy Plover on the left; Least Bell’s Vireo, Burrowing Owl, Western Sandpiper, and California Brown Pelican on the right. Yellow text reads, “Who will win?” and “You decide!” Audubon California logo at the bottom.

Eight Birds. One Competition. YOU Decide who Takes the Crown.

Dear KAREN,

To celebrate Audubon California’s 30th anniversary, eight remarkable birds are facing off in a California Bird of the Year Tournament. Each bird connects us to California’s incredible habitats and to the conservation milestones, communities, and program work that have shaped our impact over the past three decades.

The opening round kicks off the last week of July with Game 1: TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD vs. CALIFORNIA CONDOR! In total, eight birds will compete in four opening-round match-ups to determine which four advance to the semifinals.

During each game’s announced voting period, you can cast your vote by: 
  • Commenting on any game-related Instagram or Facebook post,
  • Voting in any game-related Stories, and
  • Using the voting form linked in our Instagram bio and in the links section of our Facebook page.
Follow Audubon California on Instagram or Facebook to meet the contenders, follow every game, and help crown California’s Bird of the Year!

California’s Bird of the Year needs YOU to vote, cheer, and share! Every game is a chance to celebrate incredible birds, share their stories with friends and family, and rally support for the species that need our help.

Get a head start and learn more about each of the contestants on our website HERE.
Follow along here!

Photo credits: LEFT column, from top: Tricolored Blackbird, Alecia Smith/Audubon CA; California Condor, Loi-Nguyen/Audubon Photography Awards; Surf Scoter, Christy Grinton Martin/Audubon Photography Awards; Western Snowy Plover, Alecia Smith/Audubon Photography Awards. RIGHT column, from top: Least Bell’s Vireo, Alecia Smith/Audubon CA; Western Burrowing Owl, Karen Bilgrai Cohen/Audubon Photography Awards; Western Sandpiper, Mick Thompson; California Brown Pelican, William Farnsworth/Audubon Photography Awards.

 

Audubon California
1901 Harrison Street, Suite 1450
Oakland, CA 94612 USA
(415) 644-4600 | www.audubon.org/california

© 2026 Audubon California

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