February may be a short month, but there is no shortage of fantastic birding festivals to enjoy. From northern events that highlight winter birds to southern events that take advantage of winter residents and the beginning of migration, there are festivals in many different locations that show wonderful aspects of birding.
The February bird festivals listed below offer field trips, workshops, speakers and other activities, but individual events vary each year – check each festival’s updated website or contact its organizers for specific information, registration details and costs. Note: Only a few features are mentioned below; many more are on each festival’s complete schedule!
Festivals are listed in chronological order according to the date they begin; scroll down for festivals later in the month, and don't forget to check birding festivals in January for events that start late in the month and may extend into February as well.
Is your favorite February birding festival not on this list? Email me to have it added to the directory!
Cape Ann Winter Birding Weekend
Cecil Sanders
- Dates: February 1-3, 2013
- Location: Gloucester, Massachusetts
Winter seabirds and ducks are the highlight of the Cape Ann Winter Birding Weekend, and guests will have multiple opportunities to see them on different tours from buses and boats. Other festival activities include a welcome reception, lectures, slideshows and an exhibitor hall.
SparrowFest
Nick Saunders
- Date: February 2, 2013
- Location: Bertram, Texas
The one day SparrowFest event is organized by the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge and celebrates little brown jobs; visitors can see 15-20 species of sparrows on the various field trips. Other activities include classroom sessions and a happy hour social.
Laredo Birding Festival
Lip Kee Yap
- Dates: February 6-9, 2013
- Location: Laredo, Texas
Visitors to the Laredo Birding Festival may spot as many as 240 bird species during the event, depending on which trips they take. Additional events include workshops, film screenings, a keynote speaker, banquet, photography tours and more. Registration options are available for one, two or three day festival packages.
Bald Eagle Day
Kyle Robinson
- Date: February 9, 2013
- Location: Brigham City, Utah
Bald Eagle Day is a one-day event to celebrate these regal raptors at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, and a live bald eagle ambassador is the guest of honor. Tours of the refuge are available, as well as games, crafts, movies and other events for the whole family.
Edison Bird Festival
Lawrence Neo
- Dates: February 9-10, 2013
- Location: Edison, Washington
The Edison Bird Festival is a quirky and educational event that kicks off with a chicken parade. A variety of tours and lectures are part of the festival with a focus on bird art and conservation, and other activities include bird painting and carving demonstrations and live raptor presentations.
Winter Wings Festival
Nick Saunders
- Dates: February 14-17, 2013
- Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Winter birds are the specialty of the Winter Wings Festival, but there is much more to the event. In addition to field tours through a wide variety of habitats, other activities include photography workshops, a banquet, lectures, a big day tour, overnight owling, school art contests and keynote speakers.
Sax-Zim Bog Birding Festival
Dave
- Dates: February 15-17, 2013
- Location: Meadowlands, Minnesota
Winter is not for the faint of heart in northern Minnesota, but guests at the Sax-Zim Bog Birding Festival will be rewarded with amazing owls, redpolls, crossbills and other target birds. Field trips are arranged with buses and vans so registration is limited, and other events include owling and guest speakers.
Great Backyard Bird Count
Dawn
- Dates: February 15-18, 2013
- Location: Your Backyard
Learn how to count birds and hold a birding festival in your backyard with the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. There is no fee to participate, and one individual can submit multiple count lists not only from their yard, but from any birding hotspot they visit over the weekend.
High Plains Snow Goose Festival
nophun201
- Dates: February 21-24, 2013
- Location: Lamar, Colorado
In addition to the namesake snow goose, approximately 70 bird species can be sighted at this event. Along with field trips, activities at the High Plains Snow Goose Festival include an arts and crafts fair, guest speakers, silent auction, lectures, hayrides, a falconry demonstration, banquet and a Kids' Zone with youth activities.
Whooping Crane Festival
Steve Gifford / USFWS Midwest Region
- Dates: February 21-24, 2013
- Location: Port Aransas, Texas
The Whooping Crane Festival gives guests the chance to get amazing views of these endangered birds. In addition to trips to see the whooping cranes, other festival activities include seminars, workshops, a trade show, photography trips, overnight stargazing and a wide range of expert guest speakers.
