A painting of band-tailed pigeons has been chosen by a panel of judges as the winning entry in the 2025-26 California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest. The painting was created by Diane Ford of Bethesda, Maryland.
Ford previously won the California Duck Stamp Art Contest in 2021. This is her first time winning the California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest.
Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the annual nationwide contest determined the official design for this year’s California Upland Game Bird Stamp.
Contest entries were judged by a panel of experts selected for their knowledge in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. Designs were judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.
The judges appreciated the layout of the painting and complemented the balance in the composition, with one pigeon perched on a branch and another in flight. This highlighted the banded tails of each bird as well as their iridescent green neck feathers. The proportions and anatomical accuracy were excellent. The judges noted that the addition of toyon shrub was subtle enough to not detract from the birds but detailed enough to invoke a California coastal chaparral and scrub environment. The various shades of green contrasted with the red berries and played off the pigeons’ neck feathers, creating one cohesive scene.
Ford found inspiration for her painting in her love for pigeons, both domestic and wild. “I've been raising and rescuing homing pigeons for 20 years,” she said. “I used one of several birds in my coop as models. The band-tailed pigeons are similar in feathering.” She added the toyon shrub after learning band-tailed pigeons feed on it.
Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Indiana, placed second in this year’s competition. Ryan Kniss of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, received third. Larry Simons of Lebanon, Oregon, received honorable mention.
An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The validation replaces the stamp through CDFW’s Automated License Data System, but the stamp is still produced and available to hunters upon request. Monies generated from upland game bird validation sales are dedicated solely to upland game bird related conservation projects, hunting opportunities, public outreach and education. CDFW annually sells about 140,000 upland game bird validations and distributes approximately 24,000 stamps.
Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectable stamp by visiting wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps. An order form is also available on the website for collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps.
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Media Contacts:
Matt Meshriy, CDFW Wildlife Branch
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641