USFWS Migratory Birds

04/21/2026

And the conservation message winner for the 2026 National Junior Duck Stamp Contest is from 13-year old Iris Lovett from Wisconsin. Thank you Iris for your message: The future of wildlife reflects our care - give ducks a place to land. 🦆
Read the news release from the event:

A talented young artist from Texas has taken top honors at the National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. A blue-winged teal by 17-year-old Nina Liang, will grace the 2026-2027 Junior Duck Stamp, which raises funds to educate and engage our nation’s youth in wildlife and wetlands conservation and out...

04/21/2026

Congratulations to 14-year old Thora Larson from South Dakota for winning third place🥉in the 2026 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest! 🦆 "Simple joys" is an acrylic and oil painting of a blue-winged teal, and is an outstanding example of the talent this Junior Duck Stamp Program cultivates : https://www.fws.gov/service/buy-junior-duck-stamp
📷Blue-winged teal painted by Thora Larson (c) USFWS Used by Permission

04/21/2026

Congratulations to the very talented 14-year old Jisun Yoon from New Jersey for winning second place with this acrylic painting of a mallard hen in the 2026 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest!🦆 The piece, "Lunch at the Water's Edge" is an amazing example of this program that connects youth with the outdoors. 🥈 Support conservation education and our youth by buying these stamps: https://www.fws.gov/service/buy-junior-duck-stamp
📷Mallard hen painted by Jisun Yoon, (c) USFWS Used by Permission.

04/21/2026

What an exciting day for the Junior Duck Stamp Program! 🦆Congratulations to Nina Liang from Texas for winning first place in this year’s National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest! 🥇Nina took top honors in the contest with an oil painting of a pair of blue-winged teal. The art, titled "Sailors of Mustard Algae," will be made into the 2026-2027 Junior Duck Stamp, which goes on sale June 26, 2026! Learn more about the Junior Duck Stamp🦆 : https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2026-04/nina-liang-17-wins-us-fish-and-wildlife-service-2026-national-junior-duck
📷Blue-winged teal painted by Nina Liang, (c) USFWS used by permission.

04/17/2026

It’s almost time! The National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest takes place Tuesday, April 21. 🦆

Each year, thousands of students explore wildlife conservation, learn about waterfowl and their habitats, and build lasting connections to the outdoors—whether through birdwatching, hunting, fishing, or other nature-based activities. 🏞️

After studying conservation principles, students create original artwork to reflect what they’ve learned. Entries are judged at the state level, and top pieces advance to the national competition. 🥇🥈🥉

Take a sneak peek at this year’s incredible submissions:

These entries, from all 50 states and U.S. territories, will be judged at the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest in Falls Church, VA on April 21st, 2026. *Please note, the judges are instructed to refrain from viewing as images differ than in person*