Now in its 16th year, the Audubon Photography Awards competition focuses on both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

The 2025 Audubon Photography Awards Emphasize Epic and Endangered Migrations

In so-called “granary trees,” acorn woodpeckers drill remarkable pegboard-like patterns in which they store thousands upon thousands of acorns for food over the winter. And the Austral pygmy-owl, endemic to parts of Argentina and Chile, can be identified by its high-pitched toot. These are just a few of the incredible array of bird species represented by the top entries in this year’s Audubon Photography Awards.

The 2025 contest comprises two groupings emphasizing migration, with submissions welcome from Canada and the U.S., along with Chile and Colombia. From there, entries are categorized into themed awards like the Youth, Conservation, Birds Without Borders, and Birds in Landscape prizes.

a woodpecker pecks at a dead tree, with numerous other holes already pecked, filled with acorns2025 Female Bird Honorable Mention, United States and Canada: Taryn M. Ware Acorn Woodpecker. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Julian, California, U.S.

The grand prize from the Chile and Colombia pool has been awarded to Felipe Esteban Toledo Alarcón for his dramatic capture of a ringed kingfisher taking flight over the water. And the top prize selected from U.S. and Canada submissions goes to Liron Gertsman for his shot of magnificent frigatebirds silhouetted by the sun.

“Chile and Colombia are home to some of the world’s most biodiverse landscapes and seascapes,” says a statement. “Many of the birds that migrate between these vibrant countries and Canada and the United States are vulnerable to extinction due to climate change…Audubon works toprotect these birds from the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss through coordinated efforts across countries and regions to ensure their survival year-round.”

Explore galleries of this year’s winners and honorable mentions, or grab a copy of the Fall 2025 Audubon Magazine. Entries for the 2026 competition will open in January. You might also enjoy following birds along their annual migrations via Audubon’s elaborate, interactive maps.

a chipping sparrow stands on an old tree limb covered in lichen2025 Female Bird Winner, United States and Canada: Sean Pursley, Chipping Sparrow. Bogus Basin near Boise, Idaho, U.S. numerous flamingos gather at low tide in front of a hilly coastal backdrop2025 Birds in Landscapes Chile Winner: Caro Aravena Costa, Chilean Flamingos. Puerto Natales, Magallanes, Chile a pygmy owl balances on a branch against a blurred background of plants2025 Birds in Landscapes Chile Honorable Mention, Chile and Colombia: Francisco Vera Núñez, Austral Pygmy-Owl. Coyhaique, Chile a ringed kingfisher takes flight over the water, spraying droplets everywhereGrand Prize Winner, Chile and Colombia: Felipe Esteban Toledo Alarcón, Ringed Kingfisher. Saval Park, Valdivia, Los Ríos, Chile a mother oystercatcher feeds its chick2025 Coastal Birds Chile Winner: Francisco Castro Escobar, American Oystercatchers. Antofagasta, Chile two ravens stand close to one another against a blurred background2025 Youth Honorable Mention, United States and Canada: Jake Hillygus, Common Ravens. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California, U.S. a greater yellowlegs bird swims in calm waters2025 Birds Without Borders Honorable Mention, Chile and Colombia: Leonardo Guzman-Jimenez, Greater Yellowlegs. Chia, Cundinamarca, Colombia a savannah hawk stands gracefully in front of a blurred background of flames and heat waves2025 Conservation Winner, Chile and Colombia: Luis Alberto Peña, Savanna Hawk. Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, Colombia

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