Participants are asked to draw or paint a native Georgia bird that has not been featured on a previous Youth Birding Competition T-shirt (see the list on the YBC Shirt Contest page). But with more than 400 species of wild birds in Georgia, options abound! Since this contest highlights species that are indigenous to our state, artwork of non-native or domesticated species (such as European starlings, English sparrows, pigeons, yellow ducks, peacocks and parrots) will be disqualified.

Artwork must be flat (not 3D) and may be created on paper or canvas. Draw or paint the bird’s features as accurately as possible. A simple background that reflects the bird’s natural habitat is encouraged, but make sure the bird remains the main focus of the artwork. Keep in mind that deep, contrasting colors reproduce best on a T-shirt.

To enter, take a full-frame JPG photo of your artwork using a camera or smartphone. Then complete the online form at https://georgiawildlife.com/YBCTshirtArtContest and upload your artwork photo by Jan. 31, 2026. Each participant may submit only one original piece. Participation in the April 2026 Youth Birding Competition is encouraged but not required to enter the T-shirt Art Contest.

Prizes will be awarded in four age divisions: primary (pre-K-second grades), elementary (third-fifth), middle school (sixth-eighth) and high school. Each division will have a first-place winner, and one of those winners will be selected as the Grand Prize Winner. The grand-prize artwork will appear on the 2026 Youth Birding Competition T-shirt, and the artist will receive a $100 Amazon gift card. The other first-place winners will each receive a $60 gift card, and runners-up, a $40 gift card.

The 2026 Youth Birding Competition challenges teams to spot or hear as many bird species as possible throughout Georgia in a 24-hour period during the contest dates. Details, including how to register a team, will be posted later this year on the Youth birding Contest's page. For questions, contact competition coordinator Tim Keyes at (912) 262-3191 or tim.keyes@dnr.ga.gov.

For details about the art contest or to enter, visit YBC Shirt Contest page or contact art contest coordinator Linda May at (706) 319-0211 or linda.may@dnr.ga.gov