The winners of Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 have been announced, showcasing some of the most striking bird photography captured around the world this year. More than 24,000 images were submitted to the competition, with photographers competing across eight adult categories for the £3,000 grand prize.
This year’s top award went to UK photographer Henley Spiers for Sunball Rocket, a dramatic image of a northern gannet bursting through the ocean’s surface in Scottish waters. The Young Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 title was awarded to 16-year-old Parham Pourahmad from the United States for his enchanting photograph of a great horned owl framed against the full moon.
From bird portraits and behavior to flight, conservation, urban birds, and creative photography, the winning images highlight the incredible variety of ways photographers capture the world’s birds.
