A northern gannet dramatically breaks the floor of the ocean, propelling by way of the water like a torpedo at speeds of as much as 86km/h 53mph). Photographer Henley Spiers captured the second in a shocking picture (seen beneath) and earned the highest prize on the 2026 Bird Photographer of the Year awards.
“The handsome northern gannets lead a dualistic existence,” Spiers stated in a press launch. “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 2026 Bird Photographer of the Year awarded prizes a number of classes, together with Best Portrait, Bird Behavior, Birds in Flight, and Conservation. This yr’s competitors additionally raised greater than £5,000 ($6,600 USD) to Birds on the Brink, a charity that gives funding to grassroots fowl conservation initiatives across the globe.
“In a world where AI-generated imagery is becoming increasingly common, this year’s winners are a powerful reminder of the value of authenticity,” Will Nicholls, Director of Bird Photographer of the Year, stated. “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.”
Bronze: “Kleptoparasitism” by Bernhard Schubert At the seashore in Tulum, I positioned myself parallel to a fisherman whose undesirable catch repeatedly triggered aerial skirmishes overhead. The frigatebirds cruised simply metres above him, and every time a fish was tossed upward, the airspace erupted. I tracked the preliminary seize and ensuing chase with a quick shutter velocity and huge AF space, anticipating erratic route adjustments. Credit: Bernhard Schubert / Bird Photographer of the Year Bernhard Schubert
Silver: “Patterns” by Alex Pansier Captured in March 2025 on Hornøya, this picture reveals a mesmerizing swarm of guillemots in flight. What first seems as an Escher-like phantasm is nature’s personal design—organized chaos in movement. The sky turns into a canvas of repetition and rhythm, the place the boundaries between order and dysfunction dissolve earlier than your eyes. Credit: Alex Pansier / Bird Photographer of the Year Alex Pansier
Bronze: “Back to Fishing” by Romain Barats I used to be snorkeling within the magnificent Port Charcot bay in Antarctica when a raft of gentoo penguins instantly confirmed up, en path to fish and feed on krill. These iconic birds are extremely curious so that they went straight to me to guage if I may very well be a menace or not. They spent some time swimming so quick round me. Credit: Romain Barats / Bird Photographer of the Year Romain Barats
Romain Barats / Bird Photographer of the Year
Black and White
Gold: “An Ostrich Horizon” by Rahul Sachdev An ostrich makes its approach in the direction of the dry lake mattress of Amboseli. In black and white, the stark panorama emphasizes the fowl’s solitary journey throughout the mud and warmth. Credit: Rahul Sachdev / Bird Photographer of the Year Rahul Sachdev
Rahul Sachdev / Bird Photographer of the Year
Silver: “Grass Tree” by Raoul Slater At our neighbour’s gate is a grass tree, also called a Xanthorrhoea. These slow-growing succulents are native to Australia, and there are 30 species. They produce spectacular flower spikes that drip with nectar, attracting birds like this little wattlebird, butterflies and native bees. I’ve photographed this tree for a decade, however with by no means greater than two spikes. This yr was an important one for rain, and the tree responded with 5 spikes. As I drove out our gate every morning, I handed a precise level the place they lined up fantastically. The automotive, with a towel draped throughout the window, offered an ideal conceal. What you possibly can’t see just under the sting of the picture is the home of the following neighbour alongside. It took some rationalization to persuade him that I hadn’t arrange covert surveillance on his entrance door. Credit: Raoul Slater / Bird Photographer of the Year Raoul Slater
Raoul Slater / Bird Photographer of the Year
Urban Birds
Gold: “Alter Ego” by Gianluca Damiani Great cities are extraordinarily advanced habitats. Attracted by the good quantity of meals sources the yellow-legged seagulls (Larus michahellis) reside inside Rome from a few years. The tall buildings are for the seagulls because the cliffs on the ocean and symbolize good nesting buildings. I had a seagull colony on the roof of my home, and I had time to review their behaviour and most popular perches in an effort to get this image. Moreover, some folks of my neighborhood used to feed birds on the roof since COVI-19 lockdown. I had time then to place a detachable sticker on the wall, to attend for the arrival of one of many gulls. Credit: Gianluca Damiani / Bird Photographer of the Year