Get ready for some thrilling, trilling family fun, and start practicing your best bird call!
The Yampa River Botanic Park, in collaboration with the Yampa Valley Crane Festival, is excited to host the first Yampa Valley Bird Calling Contest.
On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, meet on The Green of the Yampa River Botanic Park and voice your best bird call. Help our community celebrate the incredible birds of Northwest Colorado and beyond. Bring your picnic dinner, beverages, blanket, chairs and get ready to caw, chirp, coo, and screech!
The contest is open to most all, with two age group categories: Youth (ages 4-17) and Adults (18+). Costumes are encouraged, but no electronic devices as we want to hear just your bird voice.
Contestant registration is required and will begin at 4:30 pm prior to the contest starting time at 5:15 pm. Judges will be excited to hear and judge your calls. Of course, audience participation is very important, so those gathered will have an opportunity to identify which bird you are imitating, before you confirm your chosen bird.
Guidelines
- Contestant registration is required, which begins at 4:30 pm on The Green.
- Contest begins at 5:15 pm
- Contestants are to give their best authentic call of one bird
- Audience will try to guess the type of bird call
- Simple costumes are encouraged
- Birds native to Northwest Colorado are encouraged (especially Sandhill Cranes)
Judging Categories
- Accuracy – how closely the call resembles the bird
- Best Costume
- Crowd favorite
Awards
- Best Authentic Youth Call – determined by judges
- Best Authentic Adult Call – determined by judges
- Best Youth Costume – determined by judges based on audience response
- Best Adult Costume – determined by judges based on audience response
- Crowd Favorite – determined by judges based on audience response
Start practicing, bird callers (and wanna-be bird callers!). September 2nd at the Yampa River Botanic Park will be your time to strut your stuff and soar!
