[Trending] 45+ Best Bird Photos Of 2017

Birds are a secretive and mysterious species, which makes them one of the hardest to photograph. The British Trust for Ornithology, however, is taking time to appreciate photographers around the world who have mastered the art of capturing the quiet, gentle beauty of birds, and they’ve just announced their winners for 2017.

The Bird Photographer of the Year competition was initiated in 2015, and reportedly received a flood of entries right away. According to BTO Chief Executive Andy Clements, its aim is “to celebrate the artistry of bird photography and aid conservation by supporting the valuable work carried out by the BTO.” A cash prize of £5,000 (~$6,500 USD) is awarded to the top entry, with smaller amounts of cash, equipment, and merchandise being doled out to the others. This year’s victor? Alejandro Prieto Rojas from Mexico, who submitted a stunning portrait of flamingo feeding their young.

A selection of the winning and short-listed entries are also chosen by the BTO to feature in a special large-format photobook. The 2017 edition is available now, and partial profits from its sales will directly support the BTO’s bird conservation efforts. Scroll down to see some of the most incredible bird photos you might ever lay eyes on, and share this post with the bird-lover in your life.

More info: Bird Photographer of the Year Awards, BTO

Coots fighting by Andrew Parkinson, Derbyshire, UK. Gold award winner in the bird behaviour category

Image credits: Andrew Parkinson / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Calling for the Sun by Ondrej Pelanek, Czech Republic. Gold award winner in Young Bird Photographer of the Year category

Image credits: Ondrej Pelanek / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Catch of the day by Vince Burton, UK. Winner of the Nature Photographers Ltd people’s choice award category

Image credits: Vince Burton / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Camouflage by Daniel Stenberg, Sweden. Honourable mention in birds in the environment category

Image credits: Daniel Stenberg / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Goosander and brood by Jonathan Gaunt, UK. bird behaviour category

Image credits: Jonathan Gaunt / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Daily basket by Ionel Onofras, Romania. best portrait category

Image credits: Ionel Onofras / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

The battle by Jose Garcia, US. bird behaviour category

Image credits: Jose Garcia / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Grey heron, Ahmad Al-essa, Kuwait. Silver award winner in the attention to detail category

Image credits: Ahmad Al-essa/2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Full speed by Faisal Alnomas, Kuwait. bird behaviour category

Image credits: Faisal ALnomas / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Barn owl hovering by Roy Rimmer, UK. bird behaviour category

Image credits: Roy Rimmer / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Pelican portrait by Anna-mart Kruger, Namibia. Best portrait category

Image credits: Anna-mart Kruger / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Pink flamingo feeding their young by Alejandro Prieto Rojas, Mexico. Gold award and Bird Photographer of the Year 2017 winner in the best portrait category

Image credits: Alejandro Prieto Rojas / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Bravery, Pied crow and white-backed vulture by Bence Máté, Hungary. Bird behaviour category

Image credits: Bence Máté / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Orhard nuthatch by Charles Tyler, United Kingdom. Birds in the garden category

Image credits: Charles Tyler / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

David versus goliath by Bruno de Lorenzo, Hungary. Bird behaviour category

Image credits: Bruno de Lorenzo / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Breakfast, Great Egret by Cheryl Schneider, USA. Attention to detail category

Image credits: Cheryl Schneider / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

A perfect landing, australian pelican by Bret Charman, Australia. Gold award winner in birds in flight category

Image credits: Bret Charman / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

All in yellow, blue-headed wagtail by Robert Szafranek, Poland. Birds in the environment category

Image credits: Robert Szafranek / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

I lost my mom, common kingfisher by Fahad Al-enezi, Spain. Bird Behaviour category

Image credits: Fahad Al-enezi / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Wide-angle kite, red kite by Jamie Hall, United Kingdom. Birds in flight category

Image credits: Jamie Hall / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Bearded sunset by Markus Varesvuo, Helsinki, Finland. Winner in best portfolio category and honourable mention for best portrait category

Image credits: Markus Varesvuo / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Twilight by Markus Varesvuo, Kuusamo, Finland. Best portfolio winner in the creative imagery category

Image credits: Markus Varesvuo / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Barn owl hunting by house by Jamie Hall, Suffolk, England. Gold award winner in the birds in the garden category

Image credits: Jamie Hall / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Andean condor in flight over mountain peaks by Ben Hall, UK. Gold award winner in the birds in the environment category

Image credits: Ben Hall / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Wing Formation by Tom Hines, UK. Gold award winner in the attention to detail category

Image credits: Tom Hines / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

The speculum by Georgina Steytler. Australia. Gold award winner in the creative imagery category

Image credits: Georgina Steytler / 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year Awards

Source: BoredPanda