Bird Photographer of the Year 2027

This year's Bird Photographer of the Year is an international competition dedicated entirely to photographs of birds. The overall winner takes home £3,000 and the title of Bird Photographer of the Year, and every category has cash and equipment prizes. Entries close at 23:59 GMT on 13 December 2026, and winners are announced in September 2027.

The competition is known for its strict ethical rules. Live baiting is banned, tape lures and decoys are prohibited, and shortlisted entrants must provide raw files so the judges can check that images have not been manipulated. That makes the awards a reliable benchmark for wildlife photographers who want their work judged on fair terms.

Adults pay for entries with credits, at £35 for 25 entries until 7 December 2026, while the Young Bird Photographer of the Year competition is free for photographers aged 17 and under.

Who Can Enter Bird Photographer of the Year 2027?

The adult competition is open to photographers aged 18 or over on 13 December 2026, from any country. Photographers aged 17 or under on that date enter the Young Bird Photographer of the Year competition, in three age groups: 8 and under, 9 to 13 and 14 to 17.

It is particularly relevant to:

• Bird and wildlife photographers at every level
• Photographers working on conservation stories
• Urban nature photographers
• Young photographers, who enter for free

What Can You Enter?

Images must have been taken on or after 1 January 2021. Each entry goes into one category.

Categories

• Best Portrait
• Birds in the Environment
• Bird Behaviour
• Birds in Flight
• Black and White
• Creative Perspectives
• Urban Birds
• Conservation (Single Image)
• Conservation Award (a series)
• Portfolio Award (a series)

Entry Fees

• Adults: £35 for 25 entries until 7 December 2026; £40 for 25 entries from 8 December 2026. UK entrants pay VAT on top.
• Portfolio and Conservation awards: each entry uses six credits.
• Young competition: free, up to 10 images.

What Do Selected Entrants Receive?

• Bird Photographer of the Year: £3,000, chosen from the category gold winners
• Gold award (each of the eight main categories): £500
• Silver award: £250
• Bronze award: a £100 camera equipment voucher
• Portfolio award: £500
• Conservation award: £500
• Young category winners: a £100 camera equipment voucher each; the overall young winner receives a £200 voucher

Submission Requirements

Entries are uploaded through the online entry portal. Images must be JPEG files, 2,000 pixels on the longest edge and no larger than 2 MB. Once the deadline passes, the portal locks and your images are submitted automatically.

Shortlisted entrants must supply the raw file, or the original untouched JPEG if no raw file exists.

Important Rules

• Post-processing must not deceive the viewer or misrepresent nature.
• Composites and AI-generated images are not allowed, except HDR, stitched panoramas, focus stacking and in-camera multiple exposures.
• Cloning is not allowed, except for removing dust spots.
• AI tools are banned, except for denoise and sharpening.
• Live baiting, tape lures and decoys are prohibited; other attractants such as bird seed must be declared.
• Captive or restrained birds are not allowed, with limited exceptions for conservation stories.
• Work at nest sites or with protected species needs the right permissions, stated in the caption.

When Will Entrants Be Notified?

Shortlisted photographers are asked for high-resolution and raw files in February 2027. Winners are announced in September 2027.

Things to Consider

• Enter before 8 December. The same 25 entries cost £5 less.
• Keep your raw files. Without them, a shortlisted image can be disqualified.
• Declare everything in the caption. Feeders, permissions and locations should be stated clearly.
• Think about stories. The Portfolio and Conservation awards reward a group of images that work together.
• Spread your entries. Use the categories that fit each image best rather than placing all your strongest pictures in one.
• Try the urban and creative categories. Birds in towns and gardens, or an unusual way of seeing a common species, can stand out.
• Resize correctly. Files must be 2,000 pixels on the longest edge and under 2 MB.

Enter the Competition

Interested in submitting your work?

Enter Bird Photographer of the Year 2027

For the categories, full rules and entry portal, visit the official Bird Photographer of the Year website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 12, 2026