We all know how demanding bird photography can be. Not only does one require excellent timing and gear, but also immense patience, as one often waits for hours on end. However, when one sees the final results, which capture avian species’ beauty and diversity, one can almost forget and forgo their troubles. One platform that is recognizing and rewarding such exceptional photographers is Bird Photographer of the Year. In this edition, the winning images are striking, highlighting the grandiosity of birds and contributing to protecting and conserving them.

The lead image is by Nicolas Groffal, courtesy of the Bird Photographer of the Year. All images are used with permission.

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This year, the contest received 23,000 images from around the world. However, the prestigious title was won by Patricia Homonylo, a Canadian photographer, for her picture, When Worlds Collide. It poignantly depicted the consequence of over 4,000 birds that died from crashing with windows in Toronto.

“Each year, more than one billion birds die in North America alone due to collisions with windows,” Homonylo stated. “As a conservation photojournalist, I work with the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP), which rescues window-collision survivors in Toronto. Unfortunately, most of the birds we find are already dead, and at the end of the year, we create an impactful display to honor their lives and raise public awareness.”

The thought-provoking image raises awareness about the number of birds dying yearly due to collisions. “But the fallen birds are never left behind. Their bodies are collected, and their lives are honored in the annual ‘Bird Layout.’ The Layout brings volunteers together to arrange the dead birds in an emotive and provocative display,” added Homonylo. For this reason, she took the title crown and won a grand prize of 3,500 pounds. The image is also a winner in the Conservation category. (The image was created using a Sony A7R IV with a Sony 16–35mm f2.8 lens, 16mm; 1/160s; f4; ISO 500.)

Since conservation is one of the contest’s main highlights, the Bird Photographer of the Year also donated 5,000 pounds to Birds on the Brink. The organization is a platform partner that works towards grassroots bird conservation projects worldwide.

“The mark of a good photograph is one that demonstrates artistry or tells a story,” said Paul Sterry, a trustee of Birds on the Brink, speaking about the winners. “An exceptional photograph does both. This image portrays a tragic and often overlooked aspect of humanity’s impact on the environment, highlighting the devastating consequences of urban development on wild birds.”

The contest for 2025 is already accepting entries on the Bird Photographer of the Year’s website.

Without further ado, let’s look at the remaining winners.

Andrés Luis Domínguez Blanco, Spain

Andrés photographed this Eurasian Nuthatch at Grazalema in southern Spain using a wide-angle lens. According to the 14-year-old photographer, an oak tree beside a river covers species such as woodpeckers and nuthatches coming down to drink. And so, he used a remote-control set-up, where he simply had to wait. The image is also the winner of the 12-14 Years category.

The image was shot with a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon 16–35mm f2.8 II lens. 16mm; 1/80s; f22; ISO 3,200.

Gold Award winner: Nathaniel Peck, United States

In early March 2023, hikers discovered the remains of an American Black Bear along a rushing mountain stream in West Virginia. It was very clear from the large patches of missing fur that the bear had died after a battle with mange. After being informed of the carcass and securing permission, Nathaniel set up a DSLR camera trap that took images of all the animals that came in to investigate and scavenge off the bear. The set-up remained in place for six months. As the weather warmed in spring, this Turkey Vulture became a frequent visitor, sometimes spending hours at the carcass.

Captured using a Nikon D750 with Nikon 24–120mm f4 lens. 24mm; 1/125s; f11; ISO 800.

Silver Award winner: Jack Zhi, United States

The young Peregrine Falcon has been taking flight for over a week now, and each day, his flying abilities have improved. While still relying on his parents for food, he has started honing his hunting skills. Although he was not skilled, he took small steps by chasing after fluttering butterflies. Jack, who has been photographing peregrines for years, noticed this. It was a first for him, but he truly enjoyed seeing the young falcon’s progress and playful nature. The photograph depicts such a joyous moment.

Captured with Sony A9 II with Sony 600mm f4 lens. 600mm; 1/4,000s; f5.6; ISO 640.

Bronze Award winner: Tom Schandy, Norway

Tom revealed that he was at Volunteer Point on the Falkland Islands last year when he noticed a Southern Sea Lion patrolling along the beach, trying to catch penguins. As the picture depicts, the Magellanic Penguin faces the underwater threat. According to the photographer, the Southern Sea Lion captured his prey soon after creating the image.

This picture was shot using a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon 100–400mm f4.5–5.6 II lens. 400mm; 1/1,600s; f5.6; ISO 200.

Golden Award winner: Alan Murphy, United States

During Alan’s stay in Alaska, Grey-crowned Rosy-finches would gather in large flocks beside his hotel. Fortunately for the photographer, the birds allowed him to set up his tripod and camera to make a few quick portraits. Alan notes that the pink and blue hue in this picture comes from the distant boats in a marina.

The picture was created with a Nikon D850 with a Nikon 600mm f4 lens. 600mm; 1/250s; f6.3; ISO 1,000.

Silver Award winner: Samual Stone, United Kingdom

Samual conceived the idea for this image a while back, but every time he attempted something, the image felt incomplete. But on this particular morning, things changed. He stated how he spotted the local Mute Swans in their usual spot, preening in the morning light. Since it was a crisp morning, the mist slowly descended, which created a soft morning glow. After varied attempts, the picture finally came together, as seen here.

Captured using the Nikon Z6 with a Sigma 150–600mm f5–6.3 lens. 155mm; 1/500s; f6.3; ISO 1,600

Bronze Award winner: Markus Varesvuo, Finland

For several weeks each year, groups of Black Grouse gather at leks on spring mornings for courtship and display. However, they fly in before sunrise and land in the trees on the edge. Eventually, the males descend, each claiming their patch, and spend a couple of hours sizing each other up, charging at each other, and engaging in mostly mock battles, which escalate to real fights. This photograph depicts the bird breathing following one such match.

The image was created with Canon EOS R5 with a Canon 600mm f4 III lens. 600mm; 1/1,250s; f4; ISO 6,400.

Gold Award winner: Hermis Haridas, India

A Eurasian Hoopoe took flight with its wings spread smoothly across the canvas of the early-morning sky illuminated by the sunrise’s bright hues. Hermis noticed how the bird caught its prey and went to nestle in a nearby tree one day and realized that the better way to depict the cycle of life was by using dark and light contrast. So, he returned to the spot again to see the Hoopoe working in a distance during the first rays of light. While Hermes captured various frames that day, he chose this photograph to submit to the Bird Photographer of Year as it “resonated deeply” with the photographer. In a single frame, Hermis captured “the essence of the hoopoe’s beauty and grace.”

Shot with Nikon Z8 and Nikon 400mm f2.8 lens. 400mm; 1/3,200s; f6.3; ISO 320.

Silver Award winner: Nicolas Groffal, France

During winter, Nicolas put seeds for the birds, which resulted in a goldfinch coming to flutter next to its food. Hiding in plain sight, the photographer immortalized their flight and the bird’s delicate trail using a flash and camera in ‘rear curtain’ mode. The mission was challenging as these mischievous goldfinch often danced to their own beats. However, precisely this spontaneity makes the photographic challenge exhilarating, Nicolas remarked. It took the photographer over a hundred photographs before he captured the special moment that portrayed the fleeting magic of nature in winter.

The image was captured using a Nikon Z9 with a Nikon 300mm f2.8 lens. 300mm; 1/8s; f5; ISO 320.

Bronze Award winner: Suliman Alatiqi, Kuwait

At the Midriff Islands, Brown Boobies can often be seen resting on the water’s surface. In this photo, Suliman wanted to capture an underwater perspective of the moment a bird takes off. To do so, he dived about 10 meters away from the birds and slowly ascended from underneath while monitoring their movement through the lens. The greatest difficulty in achieving this image was having to free-dive with two large strobes, which created a lot of drag. However, the strobes were necessary. Otherwise, the picture would simply have been a silhouette of the bird.

This stunning Bird Photographer of the Year entry was shot with a Nikon D850 and an 8–15mm f3.5–4.5 lens. 14mm; 1/250s; f8; ISO 64.

Gold Award winner: Kat Zhou, United States

In the photograph, a trio of Northern Gannets dived into the ocean on a sunny day in Shetland. The species is Scotland’s largest seabird, and they are remarkably adept in the water and can dive to depths as far as 22 meters. Kat took this image while scuba diving from a boat near Noss, which is home to the UK’s seventh-largest colony of Northern Gannets. In the past, the population has been estimated at around 25,000 birds, though their numbers were unfortunately severely reduced by the avian flu outbreak. It is unclear when or if their population will be able to recover. Kat used dead herring from a local herring fishery was used to attract the birds to the boat.

The photograph was shot using a Nikon D850 with a Nikon 8–15mm Fisheye lens. 15mm; 1/250s; f14; ISO 100.

Silver Award winner: Levi Fitze, Switzerland

In autumn 2022, Levi had the chance to visit the Falkland Islands. During his last days on the islands, he found an area along a beach where Gentoo Penguins surf in the waves when returning from their hunting dives. After many attempts, the photographer shot this image, which he was hoping for. Not too long ago, people wiped out whole colonies of Gentoo Penguins and others of their kind. Their eggs were a food source, but the birds themselves were prized because of their layer of fat, which was used to render oil for lighting, noted Levi.

This Bird Photographer of the Year entry was shot with a Sony A1 and Sony 400mm f2.8 lens. 400mm; 1/3,200s; f3.5; ISO 250.

Bronze Award winner: Jonas Beyer, Denmark

Jonas was cruising in a Zodiac when he saw a group of Cape Petrels in the water. As the photographer approached them, he saw they were feeding on something, along with Giant Petrels and Snow Petrels. With a big underwater rig with him then, Jonas realized he could capture a split sea surface photo. As he slowly drifted closer, the photographer noticed all the birds were too busy feeding to care about his presence. So he “parked” his next to them, leaned over the side, and dropped his underwater housing in the water. Gradually, a Cape Petrel came close, which resulted in this photograph.

The image was shot with a Sony A1 and a Sony 16–35mm f2.8 lens. 18mm; 1/1,000s; f10; ISO 640.

Gold Award winner: David Stowe, Australia

This photograph shows a Hoary-headed Grebe as it disappears below the water’s surface to feed, pushing into the depths with its huge paddle-like feet. David shot the image from a raised platform high above the wetland. With a little bit of imagination, the combination of birds and ripples looks like the head of a hippo.

This lovely Bird Photographer of the Year entry was captured with a Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF 100–500mm f4.5–7.1 lens. 500mm; 1/2,500s; f8; ISO 1,600.

Silver Award winner: William Steel, South Africa

This is an image of a Grey Heron as it looks for a roosting place on the top of a dead tree, illuminated by a full moon. Knowing that it was a penumbral lunar eclipse, the photographer searched for a distinctive subject to place in front of it. As the heron jostled for position alongside some larger Marabou Storks, William captured the moment just before the heron flew away. Using a high f-stop, heavily underexposing, and keeping a slow shutter speed of only 1/200th of a second, he captured some of the moon’s detail while suppressing most of the noise.

The picture was created with a Canon EOS R6 II and a Canon 400mm f2.8 II lens. 400mm; 1/200s; f11; ISO 2,500.

Bronze Award winner: Sparky Stensaas, United States

Three Wild Turkeys were transformed into abstract art when photographed through our living room picture window on a snowy day. Most photographers say you should never shoot through window glass, but Sparky always does it and gets good results. A bit of background: After about a month of little motivation to do any bird photography, Sparky was inspired to try something creative with his recent purchase of three Bird Photographer of the Year books. The creative winning shots really jump-started his bird photography again.

Shot with Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF 100–500mm f4.5–7.1 lens. 114mm; 1/125s; f8; ISO 200.

Gold Award winner: Nadia Haq, United States

Nadia was on a Zodiac near Brown Bluff, Antarctica, with her husband and son when the trio spotted a group of Adélie penguins on some sea ice. As they slowly approached them, the penguins started to toboggan on the ice. Nadia didn’t waste a breath and captured one of them sliding as if performing a modern dance move.

This hilarious Bird Photographer of the Year entry was captured with a Canon EOS R5 and a Canon RF 600mm f4 lens. 600mm; 1/4,000s; f4; ISO 160.

Silver Award winner: Robert Gloeckner, United States

This image illustrates an Eastern Screech-Owl as it leans out of a “window” of its home. These tiny owls are common in Florida’s densely populated areas, and Robert noticed one inside a dead palm tree in Clearwater. Later that day, while returning from work, he checked again and spotted this owl peeking out of it, and that’s how this image came to be. During nesting season, Eastern Screech- Owls often use premade holes in trees as their nesting cavity.

The image was shot with a Canon EOS R5 and a Canon 100–400mm f4.5–5.6 lens. 400mm; 1/320s; f6.3; ISO 800.

Bronze Award winner: Gary Collyer, United Kingdom

Gary was returning to camp in Sabi Sands, South Africa, on a dark March evening. During their safari, he and the group halted when they heard some unusual sounds, unsure what they were. Then he and his friends heard chattering and fluttering high above them. When illuminated with the lamp on the vehicle, Gary saw these helmetshrikes huddling together against a night that was starting to turn colder.

The picture was shot with a Canon EOS R5 and a Canon RF 70–200mm f2.8 lens. 200mm; 1/200s; f2.8; ISO 800.

Gold Award winner: Grzegorz Długosz, Poland

Goosanders breed in the park about a kilometer from Poland’s life-giving River Vistula. Each mother has to move her brood to the river as quickly as possible due to the park’s lack of food and safety. They make the journey through a series of underground passages and over a six-lane highway. Each year, a group of volunteers help them cross this deadly road by stopping the traffic. After crossing, they arrive at the River Vistula, where they can feed and grow. This image shows a mother, Goosander, crossing a smaller road because she decided not to use the scary and dark underground passage below it.

The stunning Bird Photographer of the Year entry was captured with a Canon EOS R6 and a Canon RF 100–500mm f4.5–7.1 lens. 500mm; 1/2,500s; f7.1; ISO 6,400.

Silver Award winner: Boldizsár Szűcs, Hungary

The owner of this apartment installed a nest box between the flowerbeds on his terrace, and Common Kestrels found it a suitable home. Kestrels have become urbanized due to the abundance of food in cities and the presence of tall buildings that are used for nesting. Installing similar nest boxes can create further favorable conditions for them. Boldizsár used a wide-angle lens to take several pictures, which he then stitched together to create a panorama. As a result, one can see the urban environment behind the birds.

The picture was captured using a Panasonic Lumix G9 with a Laowa 14mm f4 macro lens. 15mm; 1/640s; f32; ISO 500.

Bronze Award winner: Tomáš Grim, Czech Republic

Berlin Television Tower, the tallest structure in Germany, provides a great background for urban photography. But in January, it was a challenge for Tomáš. The photographer froze in the dark while making images. During one such shoot, he stumbled upon a mixed Hooded Crow and Jackdaw roost conveniently positioned against the desired tower. To capture sharp shots at 1/25th of a second, without a tripod and shivering, was not easy for him. The dark scene and mostly cold tones perfectly captured Tomáš’ feelings. However, the sprinkle of warmer colors gave hope for better springtime.

The image was captured using a Nikon D500 and a Nikon 200–500mm f5.6 lens. 400mm; 1/25s; f6.3; ISO 5,000

Silver Award winner: Cheng Kang, Australia

This poignant image captures the harsh reality in one of Bali’s bird markets. The two lovebirds face each other in separate cages, appearing to say their final farewells, not knowing if they will see each other again. Their silent connection transcends physical barriers, emphasizing the complex interaction between yearning for freedom and the urge to escape from captivity for human pleasure.

The heartbreaking Bird Photographer of the Year entry was captured using a Sony A7R IVA with a Sony 24–70mm f2.8 lens. 70mm; 1/125s; f8; ISO 1,000.

Bronze Award winner: Joshua Galicki, United States

A deceased Northern Gannet hangs from a fishing line as its former peers surround it and go about their daily lives on the Isle of Noss. Gannets are known to use various artificial nest materials, which is yet another threat to their numbers as they try to raise their offspring successfully. It is important to note that this same colony of birds was decimated the previous year due to avian flu. Joshua took this image as a reminder of an additional obstacle we put in the way of this species, which is compounded by other challenges, including disease and climate change.

The photograph was created with a Canon EOS R3 and an RF 100–500mm f4.5–7.1 lens. 238mm; 1/2,500s; f5; ISO 4,000.

Emil Wagner, Germany

Emil captured the image on a beautiful beach on the Baltic Sea. There are a number of waders and other birds here, but also many visitors who enjoy the beautiful landscape. In this case, there was also a dog who initially overlooked the Grey Plover. The Grey Plover, however, did notice the dog and flew away shortly after Emil took the photo. While the young photographer does not believe this incident greatly stressed the bird, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential impact of human activity and tourism on protected species and their habitats. The scene represents this potential conflict between humans and nature, as per the photographer.

The image was shot using a Canon EOS R6 with Canon 100–400mm f4.5–5.6 II lens. 248mm; 1/640s; f14; ISO 1,600.

Julian Mendla, Germany

Lake Federsee is a famous wintering area for numerous migratory birds. From November to March, Eurasian Bitterns are frequent visitors to this lake. As soon as the lake freezes over, these rare birds retreat to trenches through the reeds. Surprisingly, this individual was very close to the boardwalk that leads through the nature reserve. From there, Julian could easily watch its fishing campaign and take numerous photos.

The picture was captured with a Nikon D500 and a Nikon 200–500mm f5.6 lens. 500mm; 1/800s; f5.6; ISO 1,000.

The winning images in the Bird Photographer of the Year contest will be published as a book. For more information, visit Bird Photographer of the Year’s website.