The Bird Photographer of the Year 2023 winners have been unveiled. An image of a peregrine falcon tackling a brown pelican that ventured too close to its nest has taken the grand prize in the world’slargest bird photography competition.Photographers from all over the world entered more than20,000 images into the competition, each with their eyes on the £5,000 grand prize. Photographer Jack Zhi, from the USA, was declared this year’s grand prize winner for his dramatic image taken in Southern California.“For four years, I attempted to capture the rare sight of the female falcon attacking large brown pelicans with incredible speed and agility,” says Zhi. “I love the eyes of the pelican in this image-surprised and scared. The action was fast, and over in the blink of an eye. But I’ll remember that moment forever.” www.birdpoty.com
5. Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
COMEDY BIRD PHOTO
NO WAY OUT
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea. Lake Chiusi, Italy. Antonio Aguti, Italy. Category: Comedy Bird Photo. GOLD AWARD WINNER.
The Purple Heron is a migratory bird that nests in the lake basins of the Italian Peninsula and feeds mainly on fish, although it also preys on mice, snakes, toads and other creatures. In this shot, the heron caught a large Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius) and voraciously swallowed it after several attempts to turn the fish onto its side.
Sony A1 with Sony 600mm f/4 GM lens. 600mm; 1/4,000s; f/4; ISO 320 Photo: Antonio Aguti / Bird Photographer of the Year
6. Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
URBAN PARADISE
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. Shenzhen, China. Xiaoke Wang, China. Category: Urban Birds.
SILVER AWARD WINNER.
From October to March, Shenzhen is a wintering ground for over 100,000 migratory birds. In January 2022, tens of thousands of Great Cormorants were spotted flying over Talent Park, adding to the area’s avian diversity.
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 35mm f/1.4 II lens. 35mm; 1/8,000s; f/5; ISO 1,000. Photo: Xiaoke Wang / Bird Photographer of the Year
7. Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
BIRDS IN FLIGHT
FLYING SWORD
Sword-billed Hummingbird Ensifera ensifera. Bogotá, Colombia. Rafael Armada, Spain. Category: Birds in Flight. GOLD AWARD WINNER.
The Sword-billed Hummingbird, common in the Andean forests, has the world’s longest bill relative to its size. This bird’s unique bill, adapted to feed on flowers with long corollas, makes it a vital pollinator, as bees and butterflies can’t reach the nectar and so don’t pollinate these plants. This image captures the bird approaching a feeder, with natural backgrounds and lighting.
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 600mm f/4 III lens. 600mm; 1/1,000s; f/4; ISO 5,000 Photo: Rafael Armada / Bird Photographer of the Year
8. Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
A MOTHER’S LOVE
Great Grey Owl Strix nebulosa. Zhejiang, China. Qiuqing Mu, China.
Category: Bird Behaviour. BRONZE AWARD WINNER.
A Great Grey Owl adult was hunting in a wheat field, and a juvenile flew to the edge of the field to be fed. Suddenly, the parent caught some prey. I quickly pressed the shutter and captured a heartwarming moment between the parent and the next generation.
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with Canon 400mm f/2.8 II lens. 400mm; 1/2,000s; f/4; ISO 1,000. Photo: Qiuqing Mu / Bird Photographer of the Year