Alabama Bird Search – Youth Challenge 2024
What is the Alabama Bird Search – Youth Challenge?
Birmingham Zoo is excited to announce the first annual Alabama Bird Search – Youth Challenge (ABS) and T-shirt Art Contest. During this state-wide, twenty-four-hour competitive birding event, youth teams ranging from prekindergarten through high school will compete against other teams in their age division for most species identified, among other categories, for prizes and recognition. There will also be a T-shirt art contest, with the grand prize-winning art featured on the event’s T-shirt next year. The event will end in a recognition and awards picnic at the zoo on Apr. 20th, 2024.
Why get involved?
Do you love birds, nature or being outside? Are you looking for a great excuse to spend time outdoors with the kids in your life? Do you want to pass your passion for birding on to the next generation? Through this state-wide competition, it is Birmingham Zoo’s goal to give Alabama’s youth the opportunity to learn about the state’s great biodiversity of native birds, get outside enjoying a new sport and spend time with friends and family in nature. It is the zoo’s mission to “inspire passion to conserve the natural world.” Together, with your help, we can raise the next generation of nature lovers and conservationists.
Key Dates
T-shirt Art Contest submission deadline: Deadline extended to March 15, 2024
Team registration deadline: March 15, 2024
Competition Window: April 12 – 20, 2024 (teams choose a contiguous 24-hour period during this time)
Awards and Recognition Picnic: 11:00 a.m., April 20, 2024, at Birmingham Zoo
I want to know more! What is the very first thing to do?
For a complete overview of the ABS Youth Challenge, including how to compete or get involved, please read the ABS Youth Challenge booklet below. This booklet contains detailed information for parents, teachers and other interested individuals on registration, rules, team training, volunteer team mentor information, birding resources, prize categories, the T-shirt art contest and more. When you are ready, please return here to register your team or register as a volunteer team mentor!
VIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE ABS COMPETITION BOOKLET HERE 
ABS TEAMS AND VOLUNTEER TEAM MENTORS REGISTER HERE
For the ABS, Birmingham Zoo is proud to be partnering with Alabama Audubon, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB), and Jefferson County Parks and Preserves: Ruffner Mountain, Red Mountain and Turkey Creek. Please visit our partners’ websites and follow social media for additional events, opportunities and information relating to the competition.
Ruffner Mountain: https://ruffnermountain.org/
Turkey Creek: https://turkeycreeknp.com/
Red Mountain: https://redmountainpark.org/
Alabama Audubon link: https://alaudubon.org/
AIDB link: https://www.aidb.org/
