Spectacular Award-Winning Photos from the 2025 Bird Photographer of the Year Contest

Overall Winner: “The Frigatebird and the Diamond Ring: by Liron Gertsman

The Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 contest drew over 33,000 global entries, showcasing the stunning diversity of birdlife through captivating images.

Canadian photographer Liron Gertsman claimed the top honor with his solar eclipse-framed frigatebird shot, earning both the grand prize and Gold in the Birds in Flight category. The competition also celebrated excellence across various categories, highlighting emotionally resonant and technically brilliant moments in avian photography. More than just a contest, the event supports bird conservation efforts through the charity Birds on the Brink, reminding us of nature’s fragility and the importance of protecting it.

More: Bird Photographer of the Year, Instagram

Young Bird Photographer of the Year: “Vulture Silhouette” by Tomasz Michalski

Best Portfolio – Winner: “Sunflower Paradise” by Mateusz Piesiak

Best Portrait – Gold: “Bloody Petrel” by Steffen Foerster

Best Portrait – Silver: “Voice of the Ash Forest” by Maxime Legare-Vezina

Best Portrait – Bronze: “Snowstorm” by Luca Lorenz

Birds in the Environment – Silver: “Structures” by Levi Fitze

Birds in the Environment – Bronze: “Triumphant Arrival” by Steffen Foerster

Bird Behaviour – Gold: “Angel or Demon” by Francesco Guffanti

Bird Behaviour – Silver: “King of the Forest” by Mateusz Piesiak

Bird Behaviour – Bronze: “Swollen Chest” by Chen Ein-dor

Birds in Flight – Silver: “Through the Marigold” by Baiju Patil

Birds in Flight – Bronze: “Overflight” by Tibor Litauszki

Black and White – Gold: “The Giant” by Jannik Jansons

Black and White – Silver: “Black and White Swan” by Raoul Slater

Black and White – Bronze: “On My Own” by Jim Lee

Urban Birds – Gold: “Feathered on Panels” by Alex Pansier

Urban Birds – Silver: “Urban Incubator” by Tomáš Grim

Urban Birds – Bronze: “Sainte Trinité” by Benoit Henrion

Creative Perspectives – Gold: “Photo Art” by Philipp Egger

Creative Perspectives – Silver: “Landing in a Sea of Swans” by Andreas Hemb

Creative Perspectives – Bronze: “Under Your Nose” by Jim Lee

Conservation – Gold: “Radiographing” by Sarthak Agrawal

Conservation – Silver: “Trapped” by Charlotte Keast

Conservation – Bronze: “Vanishing Species” by Hira Punjabi

Conservation Award: “The Loon Ranger” by Joshua Burch

15-17 years – Silver: “Forest Guardian” by Tytus Marchewka

12-14 years – Gold: “Jewel of the Forest” by Harry Sedin

11 and under – Gold: “Graceful Flight Over Wild Bloom” by Sasha Jumanca