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BIRDTOBER 2026
This year, I wanted the list to feel like a trip around the world. I chose 30 incredible birds from across the globe in every shape, size, color and personality imaginable. There are tiny hummingbirds, giant prehistoric-looking birds, owls, raptors, tropical showstoppers, seabirds and some wonderfully weird ones.
You’ll find birds like the Lilac-breasted Roller, ʻIʻiwi, Resplendent Quetzal, Shoebill, Himalayan Monal, Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise, Hoatzin, Snow Petrel and so many more.
I also intentionally included several endangered and critically endangered species. One of the things I love most about drawing and painting birds is that art gives us an opportunity to learn about the creatures we share this planet with. I hope Birdtober inspires you to look up a bird you’ve never heard of, discover where it lives and maybe even learn why it needs our help.
What is Birdtober
Birdtober is my annual October art challenge where we create one bird every day for the month of October.
You can draw. Paint. Collage. Sculpt. Stitch. Make digital art. Use colored pencils. Make a bad bird out of construction paper. Whatever you want!
There are no rules about being perfect, keeping up or even completing all 31 days.
The goal is simply to CREATE.
Do all 31 prompts. Pick your favorite 10. Join halfway through. Spend three days on one bird. Make tiny birds. Make enormous birds. Make them realistic or completely ridiculous.
Birdtober is about building a creative habit, learning about birds and making art alongside people all over the world.
Day 31 is ARTIST'S CHOICE, so start thinking about which bird deserves the final spot!
How to Join
Save the attached 2026 prompt list and start gathering your art supplies!
When October begins, share your creations on Instagram and tag:
@aholmesartstudio
#Birdtober
#Birdtober2026
Tagging me is important because I want to SEE YOUR BIRDS! I'll be following along throughout the month and sharing some of your creations.
And please invite your friends, kids, classrooms, art groups and fellow bird nerds to join us. Birdtober is always more fun when we make art together.
For now, YOU have the list first.
Start researching. Start sketching. Pick out your supplies.
And get ready to make a whole lot of birds.
About Your Host
My name is Andrea Holmes
If you're new here, I'm Andrea Holmes, a mural artist, painter, author and creative entrepreneur based in McKinney, Texas.
Color, nature, birds and community are at the heart of a lot of what I create. I'm currently working on my biggest project yet, Wings Across the World, my mission to paint 100 bird murals around the world featuring birds native or significant to the places where they're painted.
I also co-authored the book Art Makes Magic, create colorful original artwork and prints, paint public and private murals, teach and speak about creativity, and come up with slightly ridiculous projects that give people an excuse to make things and connect with each other.
Birdtober is one of those projects, and seeing what YOU create every October is one of my favorite parts.
