The remarkable winners of the 2023 Bird Photographer of the Year contest have been revealed, featuring a stunning array of photos from various corners of the world. The images celebrate not only the elegance of birds, but also the landscapes they inhabit. Among the 23,000 entries, it was Jack Zhi, an American photographer, whose astonishing image of a peregrine falcon fiercely protecting her nest from a pelican in mid-air, who claimed first prize.
Grab the Bull by the HornsOverall winner and gold winner in the Bird Behaviour categoryDuring the breeding season, a female Peregrine Falcon fiercely protects her young, attacking anything that comes near the nest. For four years, I attempted to capture these rare moments of her attacking large Brown Pelicans with incredible speed and agility. The high-speed chase made it challenging to capture a close-up shot. with a long lens. The falcon’s precision was amazing as it struck at the pelican’s head.Jack Zhi / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
The competition also offers a platform for younger photographers to showcase their talent. In the 15-17 years category, German photographer Anton Trexler claimed the top spot with his captivating image of a silhouetted blackbird set against the dramatic backdrop of the moon.
Here’s a look at some of the other winners from this this year’s contest:
Blue Hour and Red MoonGold winner in the 15-17 Years categoryBlackbird singing in the dead of night. Blue atmosphere and red moon. Getting up before sunrise allows you to experience the magical awakening of animals. The blackbird is one of the first animals to awaken.Anton Trexler / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Glistening-greenGold winner in the Best Portrait categoryVenturing into the tropical forest, I was excited to spot the rare Glistening-green Tanager. After hours of waiting, I saw the vivid-green bird on a perfect heart-shaped leaf. Its shimmering feathers reflected a dazzling array of colours. I captured every detail, grateful for this magical moment amid the lush jungle backdrop.Nicolas Reusens / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Flying SwordGold winner in the Birds in Flight categoryThe Sword-billed Hummingbird, common in the Andean forests, has the world’s longest bill relative to its size. This bird’s unique bill, adapted to feed on flowers with long corollas, makes it a vital pollinator, as bees and butterflies can’t reach the nectar and so don’t pollinate these plants. This image captures the bird approaching a feeder, with natural backgrounds and lighting.Rafael Armada / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
A Moment of PrayerGold winner in the Urban Birds categoryDuring winter migration, owls from northern Finland often head to the south where they can find more food due to less snow. This Great Grey Owl chose a cemetery with abundant voles as its hunting ground. While hunting, the owl would often stop on tombstones or other structures to observe the area. Keeping a safe distance, I followed the owl and managed to capture a fleeting moment when it landed briefly on a beautiful angel statue.Arto Leppänen / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
No Way OutGold winner in the Comedy Bird Photo categoryThe Purple Heron is a migratory bird that nests in the lake basins of the Italian Peninsula and feeds mainly on fish, although it also preys on mice, snakes, toads and other creatures. In this shot, the heron caught a large Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius) and voraciously swallowed it after several attempts to turn the fish onto its side.Antonio Aguti / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Don’t Make WarGold winner in the Conservation (Single Image) categoryA Maltese hunter stands proud, having legally shot a European Turtle Dove, a prized quarry on the island. European Union legislation bans the hunting of Turtle Doves in the breeding season. Nevertheless, across the Mediterranean, an estimated 0.34–0.87 million are killed every year. Generations of Maltese have hunted this species on migration; a few continue to hunt and follow tradition. In 2017, Malta introduced a spring hunting moratorium, which left some hunters feeling their ‘traditional’ way of life had been spoilt. Unfortunately, the ban was lifted in 2022, allowing European Turtle Doves to be killed once again. The decision has the potential to dramatically impact and further damage this beautiful bird’s chances of survival and drive it further towards extinction. BirdLife International and their partner BirdLife Malta both condemn the hunting.Ewan Heath-Flynn / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Sunflower ParadiseGold winner in the Birds in the Environment categoryFlooding meant that a field of sunflowers could not be harvested, and thousands of birds, including Greenfinches (Chloris chloris), Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) and Bramblings, flocked to it in winter. Despite their colourful plumage making them easy targets, when foraging their colours blend with the surroundings, making them hard for predators to spot. Using a wide- angle lens masked with snow and dried sunflowers, I photographed a flock of Bramblings from their perspective, with one perched in front of my camera.Mateusz Piesiak / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Fascinating DropletGold winner in the Black and White categoryA young Musk Duck seems mesmerised by a drop of water falling from its mother’s mouth. Of course, it’s actually interested in the morsel of food that she has in her bill. Their coloration may be drab, but they more than make up for it with their beautiful expressions and fascinating displays.Jason Moore / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
High-key TernsGold winner in the 12-14 Years categoryIn a small inlet in Örnsköldsvik, there are terns everywhere during summer. So, one afternoon on an overcast day, I headed down to the water with the goal of photographing terns in flight. Instead of that, I ended up photographing an Arctic and Common Tern perched together on a railing. By utilising the white of their bodies, the overcast weather and the bright reflections in the water, I captured a high-key image of the two terns.Harry Sedin / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Verditer FlycatcherGold winner in the 11 and Under categoryPelling is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. I observed so many birds when I visited the area. I snapped this very colourful bird in a garden near our hotel. The extremely vibrant blue colour makes this bird so beautiful.Arko Saha / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Staring at the RiverBronze winner in the Birds in the Environment categoryLast winter, I spent considerable time at the Kitka River in Finland photographing White-throated Dippers. The conditions were ideal, with abundant dippers, fresh snow and crystal-clear ice. However, the harsh temperatures, reaching as low as -27°C, were a challenge. I focused on longer-exposure shots, using a 70–200mm lens to capture silky-smooth water in each photo.Stefan Gerrits / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
A Mother’s LoveBronze winner in the Birds Behaviour categoryA Great Grey Owl adult was hunting in a wheat field, and a juvenile flew to the edge of the field to be fed. Suddenly, the parent caught some prey. I quickly pressed the shutter and captured a heartwarming moment between the parent and the next generation.Qiuqing Mu / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Blue-footed Fishing DiveSilver winner in the Birds Behaviour categoryIn early autumn, a sardine shoal at Los Islotes attracted seabird predators. Amid the shoal, I waited patiently for the elusive shot of a Blue-footed Booby rising with a sardine in its beak. Finally, a crash came down close to me, and I instinctively captured the moment.Henley Spiers / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
The Heron in the PalmsSilver winner in the Black and White categoryAmong Samburu’s most distinctive features are its Doum Palms (Hyphaene thebaica). While moving away from the river, I noticed a Black-headed Heron perched on one of the palm tree branches. I asked the guide to stop and captured a minimalistic image using a smaller lens.Yaron Schmid / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Green Planet FlamingosSilver winner in the Birds in Flight categoryThis aerial photograph captures a flock of Lesser Flamingos in flight over a vast and concentrated bloom of cyanobacteria (sometimes called blue-green algae), their staple food source. The photo was taken from the open doors of a light aircraft.Paul Mckenzie / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Parenting GoalsSilver winner in the Best Portrait categoryBefore capturing this image, I spent two days observing these penguins, lying flat on the ice to avoid scaring them. Waiting for the chick to appear, I finally got this touching shot of parental love. I trekked eight hours a day on soft snow to reach this colony and even made friends with some penguins.Thomas Vijayan / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Parenting GoalsSilver winner in the Best Portrait categoryBefore capturing this image, I spent two days observing these penguins, lying flat on the ice to avoid scaring them. Waiting for the chick to appear, I finally got this touching shot of parental love. I trekked eight hours a day on soft snow to reach this colony and even made friends with some penguins.Thomas Vijayan / Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
