The winners of the Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 have been officially announced, celebrating the most breathtaking and technically accomplished avian imagery from across the globe. Taking the top honor this year is a remarkable underwater photograph of a northern gannet, captured at the precise moment it pierces the ocean’s surface in a high-speed pursuit of prey. The image, titled "Sunball Rocket," was named the overall winner in what has grown to become the world’s largest and most prestigious bird photography competition.
Now in its eleventh year, the competition continues to see an extraordinary rise in both the quality and quantity of submissions. For the 2026 cycle, photographers from every corner of the planet submitted more than 24,000 images, each vying for the title and the £3,000 ($4,000) grand prize. The judging panel, tasked with narrowing down tens of thousands of entries, sought images that combined technical mastery with a profound narrative or emotional connection to the subject matter.
Henley Spiers, a highly regarded photographer based in the United Kingdom, was declared the grand prize winner for his striking composition taken in the frigid, nutrient-rich waters off the coast of Scotland. Spiers’ image also secured the Gold award in the "Birds in the Environment" category. The photograph captures a northern gannet in a state of absolute kinetic energy, its streamlined body surrounded by a shimmering trail of air bubbles as it dives through a "sunball"—a burst of light filtering down from the surface.
Reflecting on the subject of his winning shot, Spiers spoke of the fascinating, dual nature of the northern gannet’s life. "The handsome northern gannets lead a dualistic existence," Spiers noted. "In the nest, their newborn is carefully nurtured, and a couple’s bond is reinforced by pointing sharp beaks to the sky as they tenderly stroke their white necks together. In flight, hunting mode takes over, and piercing yellow eyes, fringed with blue circles, scour the sea for prey."
The mechanics of the hunt are as impressive as the bird’s plumage. Spiers explained that when a gannet spots a fish, it flies into the wind and uses its wings as brakes to adjust its position with pinpoint accuracy. "Moments later, with wings tucked in tightly, the gannet shape-shifts into a pointed torpedo, diving into the water at speeds of up to 86km/h," he added. It is this "shape-shifting" moment that Spiers managed to freeze in time, providing a rare glimpse into the underwater world of one of Britain’s most iconic seabirds.
While Spiers took the top prize, the competition showcased a diverse array of winners across eight distinct adult categories, each highlighting a different facet of avian life and the environments these animals inhabit.
In the Black and White category, the Gold award went to Rahul Sachdev for his evocative image of an ostrich. Captured in the dry lake bed of Amboseli, Kenya, the photograph strips away the distraction of color to focus on the stark, dramatic silhouette of the bird against a moody, cloud-heavy sky. The play of light across the arid landscape emphasizes the isolation and resilience of the species in its natural habitat.
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.
Beyond the artistic accolades, the competition also serves as a significant fundraising platform for global conservation efforts. This year, Bird Photographer of the Year donated more than £5,000 ($6,700) to its partner charity, Birds on the Brink. The charity provides essential funding to grassroots conservation projects worldwide, focusing on protecting endangered species and restoring vital habitats.
The 2026 awards ceremony also featured a strong showing in the Silver and Bronze categories, showcasing a wide range of species from around the world. Volker Widmann received Silver in Best Portrait for his serene profile of Atlantic puffins on Skomer Island, while Mark Carwardine took Silver in Bird Behaviour for a majestic shot of a juvenile bald eagle in the Great Bear Rainforest of Western Canada.
The global scope of the competition was further evidenced by Silver winners such as Alex Pansier, who captured a swirling swarm of guillemots in Norway, and Yann Bigant, whose haunting image of yellow bitterns for sale in a Phnom Penh market highlighted the illegal wildlife trade. In Antarctica, Romain Barats captured Gentoo penguins both on land and underwater, earning Silver in Urban Birds (for their presence near Antarctic research structures) and Bronze in Birds in the Environment.
In his closing remarks, Will Nicholls, the Director of Bird Photographer of the Year, addressed the evolving landscape of digital imagery. "In a world where AI-generated imagery is becoming increasingly common, this year’s winners are a powerful reminder of the value of authenticity," Nicholls said.
He emphasized that every photograph recognized in the competition is the result of real-world effort and fieldcraft. "Every image in the competition represents a real moment in the wild, earned through patience, dedication and a genuine connection with nature. People will always value real stories told by real people, and this year’s extraordinary photographs celebrate the beauty, wonder and authenticity of our natural world."
As the 2026 winners begin their world tour in a series of exhibitions and a commemorative hardback book, the organizers have announced that the next cycle of the competition, BPOTY 12, is now open for entries. Photographers of all skill levels, from amateurs to professionals, are encouraged to submit their work at birdpoty.com to continue the tradition of documenting the world’s avian wonders through the lens of a camera.
