Berkeley Bird Festival

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2025 David Brower Center + Birding Locations

Celebrate the beauty of birds and nature in our city at the Berkeley Bird Festival! This annual event brings together bird lovers of all ages for guided bird walks, hands-on workshops, art, storytelling, and family-friendly activities. Discover the diverse birdlife of Berkeley while connecting with local conservationists, artists, and community members who share a passion for nature and the environment.

Field Trips

Enter the world of birding and explore the birds of Berkeley through our guided Berkeley Bird Festival field trips!

Led by Golden Gate Bird Alliance’s in-field birding guides, these place-based trips in Berkeley are a great way to connect with our feathered neighbors here in the East Bay. Learn their common names, listen for their songs/calls, and notice their various field marks and behaviors. We hope these trips inspire you to take up the call to protect our wonderful avian populations, other wildlife, and our shared environment.

Live Bird-Inspired Performances

Love birds? Then you’ll love these performances made for anyone who’s ever paused mid-step to marvel at a flash of wings or felt time stand still when a bird’s call pulled them into the present moment.

WINGED WONDERMENT — POETRY, STORIES, SONGS AND MORE

Celebrate our winged friends through a day-long showcase featuring bird poetry, bird stories, bird art, bird sounds, and bird science with presentations from local writers, artists, naturalists and bird enthusiasts. Produced and hosted by Pamela Michael, Co-Founder and former Executive Director of River of Words — Children’s’ Environmental Art & Poetry* competition and Communications Director for the California Institute for Community, Art & Nature.

“BIRD IS THE WORD” IN THE GOLDMAN THEATER

Deep dive into the lives of birds, their behavior, the challenges they face, and the conservation work being done to aid in their survival during this year’s Bird Talks in the Goldman Theater! Hear from experts in the field on various bird-related topics that will make you think twice about using the terms “Bird Brain” and “For the Birds” the same way!

Family Friendly Activities

The Berkeley Bird Festival offers a full day of family-friendly activities designed to spark curiosity and wonder for all ages. Kids can join guided bird walks, try hands-on art and science projects, and enjoy storytelling that brings the magic of birds to life. With community booths, live demonstrations, and opportunities to spot feathered friends up close, the festival is the perfect way for families to connect with nature together.

Conservation

Conservation is at the heart of the Berkeley Bird Festival, highlighting the vital role birds play in healthy ecosystems. Through talks, exhibits, and interactive activities, the festival shares practical ways we can protect habitats, support local wildlife, and ensure that future generations continue to experience the beauty and diversity of birds. It’s a celebration of both nature and community action.