Great White Pelican - Pelecanus onocrotalus: Food Chain Photo: Pedro Jarque Krebs/Bird Photographer... [+] of the Year

Like the pelicans above feasting on their favorite food, the 2019 photos short-listed for the coveted Bird Photographer Of The Year awards (BPOTY) are a visual feast  for aficionados of birds, nature or simply beautiful images.

Now in its fourth year, the competition organized by the British natural history photo-library Nature Photographers Ltd (NPL), has unveiled the finalist's images chosen from thousands submitted by photographers from 63 countries and offering a breathtaking selection of the best bird photography worldwide.

Black-naped Tern - Sterna sumatrana: Singapore Photo: Daryl Yeo

American Oystercatcher - Haematopus palliatus: Long Island, USA Photo: James Wilcox

Yellow-billed Oxpecker - Buphagus africanus: Kilimanjaro National Park Photo: Bence Mate

Judged by TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham, together with professional photographers and luminaries from the birding and publishing worlds, the BPOTY  competition celebrates the art of bird photography, promotes the work of wildlife photographers and raises awareness and money for worthwhile conservation causes.

Open to professional and amateur photographers alike, the global contest, celebrating avian beauty and diversity while recognizing the flexibility and quality of today’s digital imaging systems, offers a top prize of £5,000, plus other awards including camera equipment, binoculars, outdoor clothing and  travel vouchers.  

Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops: Spring Time Photo: Mario Cea

Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus Photo: Shane Kalyn

The winning photos are also included in a high-quality coffee-table book and in the travelling BPOTY exhibition.

 ‘Yet again we have been amazed and humbled in equal measure by the incredible standard and diversity of the entries this year," said  Rob Read,  competition coordinator and Managing Director of BFOTY. "Like any form of art, photography is subjective and not everyone can win, but our aims are to promote bird photography, the talent of the photographers themselves and to support conservation causes."

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica Photo: Mario Cea

Eurasian Jackdaw - Corvus monedula and Rook - Corvus frugilegus: Norfolk, U.K. Photo: Luke Wilkinson

Rufous Hummingbird - Selasphorus rufus Photo: Shane Kalyn

The competition is open to residents of any territory and to entrants of all ages invited to participate in eight categories and two additional special awards: Best Portfolio and NPL's Crowd Choice Award.

The winners will be announced in August. All the short-listed photos can be viewed here.

Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis: Pure Reflex Photo: Mario Cea

Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus Photo: Ly Dang

Snowy Owl - Bubo scandiacus: Posing - Ontario, Canada Photo: Tibor Kercz