Stunning Winners of the 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Contest

2017 Bird Photographer of the Year

“Feeding Flamingos,” Alejandro Prieto Rojas. Bird Photographer of the Year.

Now in its third year, the Bird Photographer of the Year is a “celebration of avian beauty and diversity.” Organized by Nature Photographers Ltd and the British Trust for Ornithology, the international competition recently announced its winners across seven categories.

In addition to awards for best portrait and birds in flights, the competition awards prizes to the best overall image and best portfolio. This year, Alejandro Prieto Rojas was named Bird Photographer of the Year for his memorable image of flamingos feeding their offspring in Mexico. Acclaimed bird photographer Markus Varesvuo took home the prize for Best Portfolio on the strength of his avian imagery that displays a wide range of shots, from close-up portraits to artistic snaps of birds in nature.

With categories like Creative Imagery, the photo contest also pushes photographers to new artistic heights. By encouraging creativity, we're able to see how these wildlife photographers marry nature and fine art photography.

The winning images, with detailed captions, are published in a book available for purchase from the British Trust for Ornithology and will be part of a traveling exhibition around the UK.

The Bird Photographer of the Year contest celebrates avian beauty across seven categories for wildlife photographers.

bird photographer contest

“Australian Pelican landing on water,” Bret Charman. Gold, Birds in Flight.

wildlife photography of birds

“Cormorant wing,” Tom Hines. Gold, Attention to Detail.

bird photographer contest

“Snowy Owl,” Markus Varesvuo. Best Portfolio.

bird photography contest

“Blackbird taking berries,” Roy Rimmer. Honorable mention, Birds in the Garden.

2017 Bird Photographer of the Year

“Great Snipe silhouette,” Torsten Green-Petersen. Honorable mention, Bird Behavior.

bird photography contest

“Male King Eider,” Staffan Widstrand. Honorable Mention, Best Portrait.

nature photography

“Fighting Coots,” Andy Parkinson. Gold, Bird Behavior.

bird photography contest

“Speculum,” Georgina Steytler. Gold, Creative Imagery.

bird photography contest

“Red Kite close-up,” Jamie Hall. Silver, Birds in Flight.

wildlife photography of birds

“Swimming Eider,” Pål Hermansen. Bronze, Best Portrait.

2017 Bird Photographer of the Year

“Leaping Heron,” Georgina Steytler. Honorable mention, Birds in Flight.

wildlife photography of birds

“Snuggling Cygnet,” Ben Andrew. Honorable mention, Attention to detail.

wildlife photography of birds

“Woodpecker in car mirror,” Kelvin Dao. Honorable mention, Birds in the Garden.

wildlife photography of birds

“Hovering Barn Owl,” Jamie Hall. Gold, Birds in the Garden.

bird photographer contest

“Willow Grouse,” Markus Varesvuo. Best Portfolio.

bird photography contest

“Great Grey Owl,” Markus Varesvuo. Best Portfolio.

2017 Bird Photographer of the Year

“Stork feet,” Magdaléna Straková. Honorable mention, Attention to detail.

Bird Photographer of the Year: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [Colossal]

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Staff Editor and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book "Street Art Stories Roma" and most recently contributed to "Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini." You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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