Bird Photographer of the Year Awards Announced: Patricia Homonylo Takes Top Honors
The prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year awards have officially been announced, with Canadian photographer Patricia Homonylo winning the coveted title for her compelling photograph, When Worlds Collide. This thought-provoking image showcases the tragic consequences of bird collisions with reflective surfaces, capturing over 4,000 birds that died in Toronto.
Homonylo’s award-winning image was selected from more than 23,000 entries, underscoring the urgency of bird conservation. “Each year more than one billion birds die in North America alone due to collisions with windows,” said Homonylo. As a dedicated conservation photojournalist, she has collaborated with local initiatives to rescue window-collision survivors.
This impactful display, created at the end of the year, honors the lives lost and aims to raise public awareness about this environmental crisis. Homonylo’s photograph also garnered recognition in the Conservation (Single Image) category.
In addition, the Young Bird Photographer of the Year 2024 award was claimed by 14-year-old Spanish prodigy Andrés Luis Domínguez Blanco for his unique angle of a nuthatch descending an oak tree. Photographers competed in eight categories, including Conservation Award, Portfolio Award, and Video Award.
Several exceptional photographs were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals, showcasing an impressive range of bird behaviors and habitats. Highlights include:
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Playful Fledgling by Jack Zhi, earning the silver award in Bird Behaviour for capturing a fledgling Peregrine Falcon practicing its hunting skills by chasing a butterfly.
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Black Grouse by Markus Varesvuo, awarded bronze for Best Portrait, depicting the courtship displays of Black Grouse in Finland.
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Immersion by Kat Zhou, receiving gold for Birds in the Environment, capturing a trio of northern gannets diving into the ocean in Shetland.
- Treacherous Journey by Grzegorz Długosz, winning gold for Urban Birds, illustrating the perilous journey of mother goosanders crossing a highway to reach a river.
With the annual Bird Photographer of the Year competition continuing to celebrate the beauty of avian life while drawing attention to essential conservation efforts, this year’s winners represent the diverse talent and commitment to preserving our planet’s wildlife.
