Registration for the 2027 program is open from Aug. 1-Sept. 15, 2026. Register here!

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The ABA Young Birder of the Year Program is designed for youth ages 10–18 years while appealing to a broad range of interests and talents. The YBY Program is a fun way to engage with some of the most respected birders in North America as they help you hone your skills and expertise.

  • Do you always keep your binoculars handy and daydream about birds when not out birding?
  • Do you enjoy taking detailed field notes on birds, their behaviors, and habitats?
  • Are you inspired to draw, paint, or photograph birds?
  • Do you write poems, essays, and stories about birds?
  • Do you dream of being involved in bird conservation or bird-related community action?

If you enjoy any or all aspects of birding, then the Young Birder of the Year Program is for you!

Modules

There are five modules to choose from so you can customize your program experience.

  • TWO MAJOR MODULES: Field Notebook • Conservation/Community Leadership
  • THREE SUPPORTING MODULES: Illustration • Writing • Photography

Full details and submission requirements are listed on the modules page.

To Participate, follow these steps:

  1. Register online by Sept. 15, 2026.
    ABA Young Birder Member in good standing through June 2027. If you are not a member, click here to join.
  2. Carefully review the online instructions for each module you will be completing, including the submission guidelines. Returning participants, please note there are module changes for 2027.
  3. Any and all work submitted for the program must be started and completed between Aug. 1, 2026 and Jan. 31, 2027. Be sure to manage your time wisely.
  4. Submitted materials must be uploaded by midnight on Jan. 31, 2027. (As in: the night between Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2027.)
    Please refer to the submission requirements on the individual module pages. Late submissions will not be accepted.
  5. Age at time of submission, Jan. 31, 2027, is 10–18 years.
  6. Having a Slack account is a requirement for entering the mentoring program. Slack invitations will be sent once registration closes. Details on Slack are included at the bottom of this page.

Achievement and Recognition

Participation in the Young Birder of the Year Program is a big accomplishment for all! Submitting a complete entry for one or more modules is an achievement in itself, and the ABA wants to recognize all participants for their success.

Participants may do as many or as few of the modules as they choose. At the conclusion of the program, the expert panel of mentors will review your submissions and each participant will receive written feedback with helpful remarks and advice for building your skills. Mentor feedback will be based on quality, accuracy, creativity, technique, and adherence to the submission guidelines.

During the month of May 2027, we will be awarding a special title of the ABA Young Birder of the Year in each of the two age divisions and finalists will be announced for each module. You do not have to be in the running for the Young Birder of the Year to participate in the program.

To qualify for the overall award of the title Young Birder of the Year:

1. Complete BOTH of the Major Modules:

Field Notebook AND Conservation/Community Leadership

OR

2. Complete ONE of the Major Modules AND TWO of the Supporting Modules:

Illustration • Writing • Photography

Important Note: Previous Young Birder of the Year finalists may participate in individual modules, but they are NOT eligible to have the title bestowed upon them more than one time in a given age division. It is possible to win the title in the 10–13 Division, and then again in the 14–18 Division, provided you meet the age requirements.

SLACK is a requirement for entering the mentoring program as most communication takes place in the ABA’s private Slack workspace.

Slack is a private workspace messaging app. ABA staff and board have adopted Slack as our primary workplace communication tool. ABA’s YBYP Slack workspace contains various channels, which allow current participants to connect with each other, ABA staff, and YBYP mentors in a safe and protected manner.

After registration closes you will be given details on how to access our private YBYP Slack workspace. Until then, you can email us with any questions at ybymp@aba.org or call the ABA-HQ at 1-800-850-BIRD (2473).

Terms and Conditions: By entering the Young Birder of the Year Program (YBYP) each participant consents to the use of his/her/their name, likeness, and/or art or other works submitted for this program in any publications, advertisements, educational materials or publicity carried out or produced by the AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION and its advertising and promotional partners without further notice or compensation. The AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION can publish or decline to publish, or use or decline to use, any submitted artwork at the AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION’s sole discretion. In turn, the participant still retains the copyright for, including the rights to use and publish, their original art or other work. You must be willing to use Slack as a communication tool for the program.