BIRD OF THE YEAR
A Fundraiser CELEBRATING
A MYSTERY BIRD & A YEAR OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Alabama Audubon Bird of the Year Fundraiser took place on February 1st, 2025 at the Cahaba Brewing Company in downtown Birmingham. This second annual fundraising event will serve as a celebration of 2024—a stellar year for the nonprofit organization—and as a grand reveal of the mystery bird species chosen for 2025.
ABOUT BIRD OF THE YEAR
Bird of the Year is an exciting new program through which ALABAMA AUDUBON will choose a native bird species that is observed often in the state—either year-round or through regular migration, and that will benefit directly from Alabama Audubon’s conservation programs. The 2025 bird is particularly cherished by Alabama’s growing community of people who come together to celebrate birds or advocate for their protection, and it was a standout species. Throughout the year, the bird will be prominently featured in outreach programs, and everyone will have the opportunity to learn much more about the species than can be found in a field guide.
BIRD OF THE YEAR 2025
The Snowy Plover is of particular concern in Alabama, where it is considered a species of Highest Conservation Concern due to threats such as habitat loss, predation, and human disturbances. A special highlight of the night was presenting UAB with the Avian Ally Award for their commitment to bird-friendly initiatives, including incorporating bird-safe window decals on their new Genomics Building to prevent bird collisions. Guests also had the chance to view a one-of-a-kind artwork created by UAB student and nature enthusiast Ava Bailey, capturing the beauty of the Snowy Plover.
Meet bbGY (“Guy”), the Snowy Plover star Bird of the Year 2025. Artist Ava Bailey beautifully captured the essence of the Snowy Plover through her artwork—featuring a real, banded bird that our coastal team has been tracking for years. Known by the colored bands on her legs as bbGY (or affectionately, “Guy”), this tiny shorebird was originally banded in 2016 on Dauphin Island.
Since then, she’s returned to nest multiple times, becoming a familiar and beloved figure in our coastal monitoring efforts.Snowy Plovers like Guy face countless challenges along Alabama’s coast—from habitat loss and human disturbance to predators and rising sea levels. That’s why they’ve become a focal point of our coastal conservation initiative. These birds nest directly on sandy beaches, where their eggs and chicks are incredibly vulnerable.
