Songbird Tours

April 24-26, 2026!

April 23-25, 2027!

April 28-30, 2028!

Every fourth weekend in April, dedicated birders from across the country gather in the Texas Hill Country for one of the region’s longest-running birding events—the Annual Songbird Festival, hosted by Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. April marks the height of breeding season for Central Texas specialties, and nowhere offers better access to the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler and the once-endangered Black-capped Vireo in their native nesting habitat. From oak-juniper woodlands to grassland edges, participants can expect close looks at these highly sought-after species along with migrants such as Nashville and Black-and-white Warblers, and local breeders like Painted Buntings, Canyon Wrens, and Rufous-crowned Sparrows. Expert-led field trips provide rare access to restricted refuge areas—making this weekend a must for serious birders eager to expand their life list.

Full event details, lodging options, and registration for limited-capacity tours will be announced soon. To be the first to know when registration opens and to receive festival-specific updates, field trip announcements, and lodging tips, sign up with the Songbird notifications form on this page.  Space on guided tours fills quickly—don’t miss your chance to bird some of the most remarkable habitat in Central Texas during peak migration.