The conservation charity known as Birds on the Brink has been hosting the Bird Photographer of the Year competition for the past five years. Wildlife photographers across the world submit their best shots of avian species in several categories of this competition.
Finally, the Bird Photographer of the Year (BPOTY) has announced the winning photos of the 2020 contest. The overall winner of this year’s competition was Majed Alza’abi of Vardø, Norway, who captured the beauty of European Shag. So let’s take a dive into the best selections from the Bird Photographer of the Year 2020.
“End of the Day”. This beautiful shot of European Shag won the grand prize of £5,000.
“End of the Day” by Majed Alza’abi, Grand Prize | Winner, Best Portrait.
Blurred shot of a bird clicked after it emerged from the water and flapped its wings to remove the excess of water.
“Pacific Gull Blur” by Georgina Steytler | Winner, Best Portfolio
The gorgeous feathers of an adult male Ocellated Turkey preening at the forest edge made for a wonderful capture.
“Rainbow of the Forest” by Mathias Putze | Runner-Up, Attention to Detail.
“Sorry! Can’t stop for a picture.” A gorgeous Hoopoe captured in mid-flight.
“Hoopoe Flight at Low Speed” by Gadi Shmila | Winner, Birds in Flight.
This stunning photograph, with mesmerizing hues, was taken at the world-famous Iguazú Falls.
“Swifts Over Iguazú Falls” by Francesco Filippo Pellegrini | Winner, Birds in the Environment.
“Hey! Are you prying?” This Grey Owl giving side-glance to the photographer is so adorable.
“Great Grey Owl” by Daniel Stenberg | Runner-Up, Black and White.
Is it a bark? Is it an owl? It’s just the perfect camouflage.
“Perfect Camouflage” by Moshe Cohen | Winner, Attention to Detail.
“What did you just say to me? ” And the fight begins in the dark background, emphasizing the snow and the backlit wings of the birds.
“Nutcrackers Fighting in the Snow” by Roelof Molenaar | Winner, Bird Behaviour.
“Hmm! What’s for dinner?” Cormorant is an adept swimmer whose diving skills come into their own when the bird is pursuing prey (mainly fish) underwater.
“Cormorant Underwater View” by Greg Lecoeur | Runner-Up, Best Portrait.
“Is this pose okay?” The 17-year-old photographer took this beautiful shot of a juvenile Mute Swan in a canal.
“Seeing Double” by Adam Lake | Winner, Young Bird Photographer of the Year, 14-17 Years.
A small colony of Black-legged Kittiwakes that breed in the most unlikely of places—an old ship.
“The Old Ship” by Kiko Arcas | Runner-Up, Garden and Urban Birds.
The composition, palette of colors and perfect lighting – just everything is impeccable in this photograph. And yes, adorning it is the photobombing bird!
“Photobombing a Game” by Magdaléna Straková | Winner, Garden and Urban Birds.
The Mandarin drake has arguably the most flamboyant plumage of any bird living in the UK, which is absolutely evident in this click.
“Mandarin Abstract” by James Hudson | Winner, Creative Imagery.
“Stay in your quarters.” Sitting on the upper part of a windmill, these common starlings look straight out of a painting.
“Single Room Available” by Robert Sommer | Winner, Black and White.
The 11-year-old photographer captured this beautiful photo of this Crested Tit perched on a twig, preparing to take a bath.
“Back-Lighting” by Ismael DomÌnguez Gutièrrez | Winner, Young Bird Photographer of the Year 9-13 Years.
“Going home.” A majestic petrel flying through the clear blue skies.
“Homecoming” by Gail Bisson | Winner, Inspirational Encounters Award.
A 7-year-old girl took this stunning shot of this lovely pair of Asian Green Bee-eaters, who are regular visitors to her garden.
“Asian Green Bee-Eater Pair” by Deeksha Diya Sambath | Winner, Young Bird Photographer of the Year, 0-8 Years.
A Red-necked Phalarope on a small pond, with a hill creating a dark background.
“Phalarope Reflections” by Terje Kolaas | Runner, Up, Creative Imagery.
Perched on the top of the tree, this Northern Hawk-owl is probably looking over the winter landscape for food.
“Hawk Owl in a Mountain Forest” by Pâl Hermansen | Runner-Up, Birds in the Environment.
A Pallid Swift was captured in a high-speed open-winged dive with a splash, catching floating insects while maintaining eye contact with the camera.
“Touch and Go” by Nikos Fokas | Runner-Up, Birds in Flight.