The annual international birding festival Birds on Niagara (BON) will return in 2026, running from Thursday, February 12 through Monday, February 16. Festival organizers have released the full event schedule and opened registration for all programs.
The multi-day, family-friendly festival features a wide range of activities, including film screenings, social gatherings, guided bird walks, workshops, and educational talks. The event offers an opportunity for residents and visitors to explore the diverse birdlife of Western New York and learn about bird conservation efforts around the world.
Since its launch in 2020, Birds on Niagara has grown into a major binational winter birding celebration. Hosted and sponsored by the Niagara Greenway Commission, the Buffalo Audubon Society, and additional partners, the festival highlights the Niagara River corridor as an internationally significant bird habitat. Each year, increased participation from regional and international organizations has helped expand the festival’s reach and impact.
2026 Festival Highlights
Thursday, February 12: Kick-Off Event – The Flyway Film Forum at Buffalo State University
Friday, February 13: Evening Social – The Gaggle
Saturday, February 14: Lunch Keynote Event – Flock and Forage with Corina Newsome
Monday, February 16: Family Day with BON Canada at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre in Ontario
Monday, February 16: Virtual Closing Event – The Gull Gab
Parking and Special Discounts
Festival attendees can take advantage of several special offers during the event:
Free parking on Goat Island from February 14–16 (attendees must inform the parking attendant they are attending Birds on Niagara)
Free admission to Cave of the Winds from February 14–16, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily (attendees must notify the ticket booth)
$5 off admission at the Buffalo Zoo on February 16
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