The 2025 Audubon Bird Photography Awards once again celebrate the breathtaking beauty and diversity of birdlife, while highlighting the critical role photography plays in conservation. This year’s competition was especially significant, as it expanded beyond the United States and Canada to include Chile and Colombia—two countries renowned for their astounding avian biodiversity. Home to countless migratory species, these regions are central to Audubon’s mission of protecting habitats and building climate resilience across the Americas.
Among the standout innovations this year are the introduction of two new categories: “Birds Without Borders” and “Conservation.” These additions reflect the growing recognition that birds connect ecosystems across continents, and that visuals are a powerful tool to inspire stewardship of nature. The winning images not only dazzle with their artistry but also remind us of the fragility of the environments these birds depend on.
The 15 remarkable winning photos showcase extraordinary moments—from the delicate grace of a hummingbird suspended mid-flight, to the dramatic intensity of raptors in action, and the intimate tenderness of parent birds tending to their young. Each photograph is both a work of art and a testament to patience, timing, and the deep respect photographers hold for their subjects.
What makes these images truly remarkable is their ability to transcend borders. A viewer in North America can marvel at a species captured in the Andes, while someone in South America may see familiar birds in a new light. This sense of interconnectedness echoes Audubon’s mission: to remind us that protecting birdlife is a shared responsibility.
Together, these winning photographs celebrate not only the artistry of bird photography but also the urgent need for conservation. They encourage us to pause, reflect, and take action—because the survival of these remarkable creatures is inseparable from the health of our planet.
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#1. Grand Prize: "Ringed Kingfisher" by Felipe Esteban Toledo Alarcón
"While looking to photograph frogs’ mating rituals at a lagoon in Parque Saval, my friend and I noticed a pair of Ringed Kingfishers hunting fish, completely submerging themselves in the water. No one can ignore such a scene. While the female was far away, the male dove unsuccessfully time and time again—and with each try, he moved closer to us. Even though the sun was not in the perfect position, I set up my camera in burst mode with a high shutter speed, moderate ISO, and “zone” focus. I was ready. After the bird made six dives, I got the image that I’d been chasing: a kingfisher explosively rising out of the water, displaying its beauty, elegance, and power. "
#2. Grand Prize: "Magnificent Frigatebirds" by Liron Gertsman
"Frigatebirds are a common sight in many coastal towns in Mexico. As a kleptoparasitic species, they may look to steal a meal from other seabirds—or from local fishermen. I photographed these birds as they passed a stunning halo in the sky. These rings of light form when millions of tiny ice crystals in the atmosphere refract sunlight, often when there are high-altitude cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. I utilized a small aperture to ensure both the birds and sky would be sharp and to get a “starburst” effect on the sun in the middle of the frame."
#3. Birds in Landscapes: "Northern Gannet" by Joe Subolefsky
#4. Birds in Landscapes, Colombia: "Blue-headed Parrots" by Shamir Shah
#5. Birds in Landscapes, Chile: "Chilean Flamingos" by Caro Aravena Costa
#6. Birds Without Borders: "Royal Terns" by Jacobo Giraldo Trejos
#7. Birds Without Borders: "Snow Geese" by Yoshiki Nakamura
#8. Conservation: "Savanna Hawk" by Luis Alberto Peña
#9. Conservation: "Burrowing Owl" by Jean Hall
#10. Plants for Birds: "Brandt’s Cormorant, sea grass, red grape algae" by Barbara Swanson
#11. Plants for Birds, Colombia: "Purple-backed Thornbill, Gaiadendron punctatum" by Cristian Valencia
#12. Youth: "Blackburnian Warbler" by Camilo Sanabria Grajales
#13. Youth: "Long-eared Owl" by Parham Pourahmad
#14. Coastal Birds, Chile: "American Oystercatchers" by Francisco Castro Escobar
#15. Female Bird Prize: "Chipping Sparrow" by Sean Pursley
