The Birds in Flight category saw Ivan Sjogren take home Gold for his intimate portrayal of a short-eared owl. Photographed over the salt marshes of the Fraser River Delta in British Columbia, Canada, the owl is shown coursing low over the brown grasses, its intense yellow eyes locked directly onto the camera lens. The image captures the silent, ghostly grace of the owl as it patrols the marshlands in search of voles and other small mammals.
Behavioral photography was another highlight of the 2026 awards. Donald Chin earned the Gold in the Bird Behaviour category for a touching and visually deceptive image of a fledgling tawny frogmouth. In the shot, the bird appears to be stretching its wings to shield its siblings from falling raindrops. The natural camouflage of the frogmouth, which allows it to blend seamlessly into the bark and shadows of its tree-dwelling environment, adds a layer of complexity to the composition.
Conservation remains a central pillar of the Bird Photographer of the Year mission. This year, the Gold in the Conservation (Single Image) category was awarded to Kent Stuart for a sobering photograph taken in Washington state. The image depicts a great blue heron with a fishing line and a bright orange bobber wrapped tightly around its beak. It serves as a visceral reminder of the impact of human waste and abandoned fishing gear on wildlife, highlighting the daily struggles birds face in increasingly human-dominated landscapes.
The Best Portrait category was won by Thomas Deliberto for his vibrant study of a male greater sage-grouse. The image captures the bird in the midst of its elaborate courtship display, with its tail feathers fanned out like a starburst and its chest air sacs inflated. The dark, minimalist background ensures that the focus remains entirely on the intricate textures and colors of the grouse’s feathers.
Innovation and artistic flair were celebrated in the Creative Perspectives category, where Asmund Keilen took Gold. His image, "Sundance," utilizes an in-camera multiple exposure reflected in the glossy roof of a blue car to capture a common swift in flight. The result is a dreamlike, abstract composition that challenges traditional perceptions of wildlife photography.
The Urban Birds category highlighted the adaptability of avian species. Gianluca Damiani won Gold for an image titled "Alter Ego," taken in Rome. The photograph shows a real seagull perched on a ledge directly above a piece of street art depicting a seagull wearing a balaclava and a gold chain. The juxtaposition of the living bird and the stylized mural creates a witty commentary on the gritty, opportunistic nature of urban-dwelling gulls.
