Categories

BirdLife Australia Photographer of the Year

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

This year, we’re excited to launch the very first Award for BirdLife Australia Photographer of the Year. By entering any of the below categories, you’ll go in the running to win the Grand Prize – a Nikon Z 8 camera valued at $7,449 RRP.

Win: a Nikon Z 8 camera valued at $7,449RRP

 

Bird Portrait

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Photographs where the bird is the star of the show! Photos entered in this category should showcase the beauty and character of Australian birds.

Tip: unique and interesting compositions, poses, behaviours, expressions, lighting and tones will capture the attention of our judges and help your entry stand out from the crowd.

Win: $1,000 AUD

Birds in Flight

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Photographs of birds doing what they do best – flying! Photos entered in this category should depict one or more birds in flight, and can include multiple species. For this category, the sky is the limit.

Tip: our judges will be looking for distinctive, inspiring and dynamic compositions for this category.

Win: $1,000 AUD

Bird Behaviour

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Photographs capturing the natural behaviours of Australian birds. Photos entered in this category should show birds in action – such as feeding, courting, playing, fighting, preening or socialising – and can include multiple species.

Tip: our judges will be looking for unique and interesting compositions and behaviours for this category.

Win: $1,000 AUD

Backyard Birds

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Photographs of the birds in your backyard, wherever that may be! Photos entered in this category should speak to the connection between you, your home and your local birds. Photos can include birdbaths, fences, balconies and other backyard scenes.

Tip: creative composition and lighting with less cluttered backgrounds will attract the attention of our judges.

Win: $1,000 AUD

Human Impact

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Photographs that illustrate the impacts of humans on birds, either positive or negative. Photos entered in this category should be emotive, thought-provoking or tell a story about the relationship between humans and birds, and can be either confronting or uplifting.

Negative impacts could include climate change, floods, fires, drought, pollution or human disturbance.

Positive impacts could include bird conservation, recovery, rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Tip: photos of captive or pet birds are permitted, but must be disclosed upon entry.

Win: $1,000 AUD

Birds in the Landscape

Sponsored by Lake Cowal Foundation

Photographs of birds in the context of their natural environment. Photos entered in this category must include at least one bird, which can be either a prominent or background feature in relation to its habitat.

Tip: our judges will be looking for photos that celebrate Australia’s diverse landscapes and the birds that inhabit them.

Win: $1,000 AUD

Youth

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Open to photographers under the age of 18 only. Multiple submissions will be judged as a combined set of entries.

Tip: a variety of categories will grab the attention of our judges, or try a portfolio style of entries.

Win: $1,000 AUD

Special Theme: Diurnal Raptors Birds of prey of the day

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Australia is home to 25 species of raptors – or birds of prey – that are active during the day. From the nimble Nankeen Kestrel hovering above a roadside, to the mighty Wedge-tailed Eagle soaring high on a thermal, to the Peregrine Falcon – the fastest animal on earth – raptors have long captured our imagination and inspired awe.

But raptors are both revered and reviled: while renowned for their speed, strength and remarkable vision and hunting abilities, these powerful predators are still widely misunderstood and persecuted, and they're increasingly under threat from the destruction of their habitats, poisoning, collisions and wildlife crime.

This category is a celebration of Australia's extraordinary diurnal birds of prey.

Photos entered in this category must depict at least one species of Australian raptor. While photos of vagrant species (birds recorded outside normal range) are permitted, these must be taken in Australia or on Australian offshore islands and territories.

Please note that nocturnal raptors (including any species of owl, nightjar or frogmouth) aren't eligible for this year's Special Theme, so please enter any photos of these species in other relevant categories.

Eligible species (and their associated subspecies) are:

  • Eastern Osprey

  • White-bellied Sea-Eagle

  • Little Eagle

  • Wedge-tailed Eagle

  • Whistling Kite

  • Brahminy Kite

  • Black Kite

  • Square-tailed Kite

  • Black-shouldered Kite

  • Letter-winged Kite

  • Black-breasted Buzzard

  • Swamp Harrier

  • Spotted Harrier

  • Red Goshawk

  • Brown Goshawk

  • Christmas Island Goshawk

  • Grey Goshawk

  • Collared Sparrowhawk

  • Pacific Baza

  • Nankeen Kestrel

  • Brown Falcon

  • Black Falcon

  • Peregrine Falcon

  • Grey Falcon

  • Australian Hobby

Vagrants:

  • Gurney’s Eagle (Vagrant)

  • Chinese Sparrowhawk (Vagrant)

  • Japanese Sparrowhawk (Vagrant)

  • Oriental Honey-buzzard (Vagrant)

  • Long-tailed Honey-buzzard (Vagrant)

  • Eurasian Hobby (Vagrant)

  • Amur Falcon (Vagrant)

Win: $1,000 AUD

Portfolio Prize

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

A compilation of Australian bird photos, each connected in theme, location or subject matter. Together, they tell a compelling story.

For this category, photographers can submit up to two portfolios of six photos each, and will need to provide a statement explaining why they’ve chosen this series and how each photo is connected.

Win: $2,000 AUD

Entry costs

We charge a modest entry fee, which supports our bird conservation work and helps fund the prize pool and offset running costs.

A discount for Early Bird entries will apply from 16 May until 16 June 2025.

Prices are per entry, are in AUD and include GST. The prices for the 2025 competition are as follows:

Open Categories 

  • First 5 entries: $10 Early Bird / $12 regular 

  • 6–12 entries: $7 Early Bird / $8 regular 

  • 13+ entries: $6 Early Bird / $7 regular 

Portfolio Category  

Collection of 6 photos per portfolio

  • Early Bird: $35 (per portfolio) 

  • Regular: $45  

Youth Category 

For entrants under the age of 18 only

  • First 5 entries: $4 each 

  • 6–12 entries: $2.50 each 

 

Photo credit: Water trails by Rebecca Harrison