Calling all birders: Join the 2026 New Mexico Birding Big Year Contest!
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites birders statewide to participate in the 2026 Birding Big Year Contest, a friendly competition to identify as many bird species as possible in New Mexico between January 1 and December 31.
"New Mexico has the fourth-highest bird diversity, in terms of overall species, in the nation," Curt Coffman, Assistant Chief of Education, said of the contest. "Bird watching has become very popular and is a great way to introduce people to the incredible natural areas found throughout New Mexico. We hope to see a wide variety of individuals participate in the Birding Big Year, including teens, beginners and the most seasoned bird watchers."
Participants ages 13 and up, from beginners to advanced, are encouraged to join, submit sightings through eBird and connect with a growing community of wildlife enthusiasts. Participants will be separated into three age groups: youth (ages 13-17), adults (ages 18-64) and seniors (ages 65 and up). The adult and senior age groups feature separate categories for novice, intermediate and advanced birders.
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"The Department is excited to offer this opportunity for bird enthusiasts in New Mexico," Department director Mike Sloane said. "This is a great chance for people to get outdoors and experience the vast diversity of bird species in our state."
More than 550 bird species have been observed in New Mexico, ranging from mourning doves and black-chinned hummingbirds commonly found in backyards; the greater roadrunner, which is the state bird; and less-common species, such as the pinyon jay, white-tailed ptarmigan and burrowing owl.
Top birding spots across the state include the Department's Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), most notable Bernardo WMA, River Ranch WMA, Glenwood-Allred WMA and Rio Chama WMA. The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is also a great place to go to see various species of migratory birds.
A good zoom lens on a phone, binoculars and the Merlin app (to identify bird calls) are great tools. The Department reminds the public not to chase birds or try to catch them. Participants are required to follow the American Birding Association's Code of Ethics.
The Department's website has more information about the contest, including links to several birding-related organizations that lead hikes throughout the year. An episode of the New Mexico Wildlife Podcast discussing the contest will also be released in early January.
Winners will be recognized in January 2027.
Register by April 1 at New Mexico Birding Big Year Contest - NMDGF. For more information, contact Assistant Chief of Education Curt Coffman at
