New York brings back the I BIRD NY Challenge, inviting residents to identify 10 bird species to win prizes.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The popular I BIRD NY Challenge is back for another season.
The challenge encourages people across the state to identify birds and learn about birdlife. People who complete the challenge receive a commemorative I BIRD NY Challenge patch and certificate, and are eligible to win birding-related prizes.
“New York State’s globally significant habitat supports a wide range of bird species,” DEC commissioner Amanda Lefton said in a statement. “Whether you are an expert birder or birding for the first time, the I BIRD NY program offers opportunities to experience birds and the diverse habitats they call home.”
The I BIRD NY Challenge started on Sunday and runs through Nov. 1. Here’s how it works: People must identify 10 wild bird species, and once they do, they’re asked to submit a challenge sheet to DEC officials. More than 1,600 people completed the challenge in 2025.
There are annually more than 450 different bird species across the state, and the challenge encourages people to visit state parks and travel along the New York State Birding Trail.
The challenge started in 2017 “to build on the State’s efforts to increase access to New York’s vast natural resources and promote no and low-cost opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and connect with nature,” the DEC said. Because people can observe birds wherever they live, work, or recreate, birding is an accessible activity that does not require transportation or the purchase of specialized equipment.
“Bird watching can be enjoyed by people from all economic backgrounds and education levels. While binoculars can help, many birds can be identified without them.”