In honor of Father’s Day, we’re giving a shout out to some of the hardest working Dads we know. Here are our Father of the Year Award Winners for 2026.
The Backyard Naturalist is proud to announce the winners of our Father’s Day 2026 Father of the Year Awards based on their excellence in the following categories:
Nest Building
Winner: House Wren
To impress a potential mate, Male House Wrens take nest(s) construction to the next level by offering a discerning female House Wren her choice of multiple builds.
Incubation
Winner: Northern Flicker
Other bird dads may take the night shift to keep eggs warm, but Northern Flicker Dads work a double; sitting on the nest all night and half the day, too.
Feeding
Winner: Northern Cardinal
Not only does a Northern Cardinal Dad bring food to Mom while she’s on the nest, he just keeps bringing more and more food as babies hatch and develop. He even continues to feed fledglings after they’ve left the nest, freeing his mate to focus on the next brood.
Education
Winner: Gray Catbird
A Gray Catbird Dad is not only a teacher of his species’ own calls and songs, he offers up impersonations of other songbirds, and even imitations of frogs and man-made noises. A Catbird Dad can string together phrases collected from a lifetime of experiences, able to share a ten minute song with no repeat.
Protection
Winner: Northern Mockingbird
Dive-bombing cats, attacking dogs, harrassing and taunting other larger birds…and people! A male Northern Mockingbird is a fearless and fierce defender of his nest and nestlings.
Father of the Year for never giving up:
The Award for Grit and Determination
Winner: Pileated Woodpecker
A Pileated Woodpecker feeds his young while they’re safely nestled in the tree cavity that took him 3-6 weeks to excavate for them! Way to go, Dad!
Remind your Dad that he’s always your Father of the Year!
On Father’s Day, thank your Dad for all his hard work and tell him how much it means. If you’re looking for a gift to remind him, give him something that will give him joy all year round.
Hummingbird Feeders
Ceramic Pottery Bird Baths
Concrete Bird Baths and Statuary
Bird Houses & Bat Houses
Bird Feeders & Accessories + Bird Seeds & Suets
Squirrel-proof Feeders
Bee Houses, Books about Bees & More
Wind Chimes
Garden Plaques
Wind Spinners & Whirligigs + Local Sports Flags
Nature Books and Field Guides
Jigsaw Puzzles
And MORE..
