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
![Canada Jay Perisoreus canadensis.
Adirondack Park, New York, United States.
Jake Levin, United States. Category: Best Portrait. BRONZE AWARD WINNER.
The best place to see Canada Jays for those living in Montreal is across the border in upstate New York. During my winter 2022 visit to Adirondack Park, I focused on capturing this species. This image shows a jay seemingly concerned that the snow is ramping up, and rightly so, as it made driving back home a challenge.
Sony A1 with Sony 600mm f/4 G lens and 1.4× teleconverter. 840mm; 1/500s; f/7.1; ISO 1,600](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmQwZGI4YmFjLTIyN2EtNDkyYy1iYWY0LTIwMzc2Y2RjODhiMDo3YzJiOGVkOS02MDE4LTQ0YWQtOGEzMy1kMTM2ODViNmUxNzI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
9. Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Canada Jay Perisoreus canadensis. Adirondack Park, New York, United States. Jake Levin, United States. Category: Best Portrait. BRONZE AWARD WINNER. The best place to see Canada Jays for those living in Montreal is across the border in upstate New York. During my winter 2022 visit to Adirondack Park, I focused on capturing this species. This image shows a jay seemingly concerned that the snow is ramping up, and rightly so, as it made driving back home a challenge. Sony A1 with Sony 600mm f/4 G lens and 1.4× teleconverter. 840mm; 1/500s; f/7.1; ISO 1,600 Photo: Jake Levin / Bird Photographer of the Year
![MORE FISH PLEASE!
King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus. Saunders Island, Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Levi Fitze, Switzerland. Category: Comedy Bird Photo. SILVER AWARD WINNER.
When observing King Penguins, I was struck by how their behaviour sometimes resembles that of humans. This juvenile constantly begged until the annoyed adult walked away. However, the fact that the juvenile was more massive than the adult suggests good parenting overall.
Sony A1 with Sony 400mm f/2.8 lens. 400mm; 1/1,250s; f/4; ISO 640](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjA4MWZkYzIxLTY0ODgtNDE2OC05OTY5LTBjZDBmNjA5OTUzYzowM2NiMDlkYy1lNjgzLTQ3ZjEtYjYyYS0wZTIzOTEzOWZiZTA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
10. Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
MORE FISH PLEASE! King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus. Saunders Island, Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Levi Fitze, Switzerland. Category: Comedy Bird Photo. SILVER AWARD WINNER. When observing King Penguins, I was struck by how their behaviour sometimes resembles that of humans. This juvenile constantly begged until the annoyed adult walked away. However, the fact that the juvenile was more massive than the adult suggests good parenting overall. Sony A1 with Sony 400mm f/2.8 lens. 400mm; 1/1,250s; f/4; ISO 640 Photo: Levi Fitze / Bird Photographer of the Year
![BLUE-FOOTED FISHING DIVE
Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii. Los Islotes, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Henley Spiers, United Kingdom.
Category: Bird Behaviour. SILVER AWARD WINNER.
In early autumn, a sardine shoal at Los Islotes attracted seabird predators. Amid the shoal, I waited patiently for the elusive shot of a Blue-footed Booby rising with a sardine in its beak. Finally, a crash came down close to me, and I instinctively captured the moment.
Nikon D850 with Nikon 28–70mm f/3.5–4.5 lens. 28mm; 1/250s; f/13; ISO 500](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjZlM2ExMjEzLTk1NDYtNDNjOS04MDBjLTdkM2Q3NjQwOGExMTo1YmRlZTU0OS1mOWRkLTRmYzEtODZmZS05ODAyMzY2M2FiZWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
11. Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
BLUE-FOOTED FISHING DIVE Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii. Los Islotes, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Henley Spiers, United Kingdom. Category: Bird Behaviour. SILVER AWARD WINNER. In early autumn, a sardine shoal at Los Islotes attracted seabird predators. Amid the shoal, I waited patiently for the elusive shot of a Blue-footed Booby rising with a sardine in its beak. Finally, a crash came down close to me, and I instinctively captured the moment. Nikon D850 with Nikon 28–70mm f/3.5–4.5 lens. 28mm; 1/250s; f/13; ISO 500 Photo: Henley Spiers / Bird Photographer of the Year