18 Outstanding Winning Photos from the SINWP Bird Photographer of the Year 2024

The SINWP Bird Photographer of the Year 2024 competition has once again celebrated the remarkable beauty and diversity of the avian world through breathtaking imagery. This year’s top honor went to Hira Punjabi, whose striking photograph of a bold parakeet defending its territory from a hungry monitor lizard captured the judges’ attention with its dynamic storytelling and technical brilliance.

Now in its seventh year, the competition, organized by the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers (SINWP), continues to highlight the incredible skill and dedication of photographers capturing the natural world. The winning and shortlisted images showcase a stunning variety of birdlife, from delicate songbirds to majestic raptors, emphasizing the intricate details, vibrant colors, and fascinating behaviors of these feathered creatures.

Beyond celebrating artistry, the contest serves a greater purpose by supporting the UK’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), raising nearly $3,600 this year to aid in bird conservation efforts. Through this blend of visual splendor and conservation impact, the SINWP Bird Photographer of the Year 2024 reinforces the profound connection between photography and the preservation of wildlife.

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#1. 1st Place by Hira Punjabi

“This image was taken in Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India, in January 2024. This is a bird sanctuary where many migratory birds comes here in winter and some residents birds breeds here, January is very cold month and many times there is a mist and fog, I has observed this behavior if birds attacking snake and lizards, as they feed on bird eggs, last 30 years I am going here, but this time I was lucky, for continues observing 4 days the same dry tree, one morning a pair of Parakeets along with some 10 or 12 birds started attacking the lizards, the whole drama lasted for an hour or so, I had managed to shoot many images, but this one is my favorite.”

#2. 2nd Place by Thomas McDonnell

“The Photo of the Red Grouse was taken in the North Antrim Hills near the town of Ballycastle. A friend of mine told me he had seen grouse in the area so I decided to use my free time to look for the grouse. Over a period of a few months of looking I eventually came across two males and a female. The males were calling at one another and flying across the road where I was parked, I watched them for an hour or so taking photos from the car, I decided to get out off the car as I was restricted in my movements, the birds seem to not care of my presence so I stood beside the car as one of the birds came right at me to go across the road to investigate the other bird, luckily I was able to to get the shot as it flew across the road.”

#3. 3rd Place by Maggie Bullock

“This shot of a Great Grey Owl was taken in Finland, near Kuusamo. The bird flew down to take a dead mouse and I managed to take a few shots of it approaching and landing. It was wonderful to see this wild bird in its natural environment against a snowy background. Taken from a raised path, where a step to either side would have resulted in sinking into deep snow, the shot was handheld using a fast shutter speed to capture the action.”