Winners

Thirst by Charlotte Scavarda

WINNER: BACKYARD BIRDS

During the Dry Season in the East Kimberley, birds will gather around any source of water as it becomes scarce. I was living near the Bungle Bungle National Park, and lorikeets and rosellas were often seen around taps or sprinkler systems in the early morning. One day I found this Northern Rosella drinking tiny droplets from a leaking tap. As they positioned themselves on the tap, I captured this moment – the rosella appears to be turning on the tap to retrieve water. Although it’s just an impression, I like the ingeniosity of this scene, and the connection it creates between the bird and our use of water.

(Nikon D5600 with Tamron 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD at 380mm, 1/640 sec, f/6.3, ISO 400)

Northern Rosella, East Kimberley, WA

@charlottenaturephotos

 

Curious pose by Heather Thorning

WINNER: BIRD PORTRAIT

I spent almost a week driving out to this location every morning well before sunrise. There was lots of birdlife, but for me it was a joy to see a small flock of these Cockatiels come to this quiet spot to feed on grass seeds. I spooked this one, not realising it was in the grass below. It flew up to this knotty tree trunk. I walked backwards as I was too close to get a clear shot. Luckily the bird didn’t fly off but looked very curious as to what I was doing. I didn’t get many photos but I'm happy with this pose.

(Canon R5 with Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM + teleconverter 1.4x III, 1/3200 sec, f/7.1, ISO 10000)

Cockatiel, Derby, WA

Instagram: @heather_thorning
Facebook: Heather Thorning Photography

 

Welcome Swallow feeding young by Richard Arculus

WINNER: BIRD BEHAVIOUR

With the speed and manoeuvrability in flight, swallows are a photographic challenge. I knew that Welcome Swallows were feeding their young at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands in Canberra and had tried with a Canon R5 and RF100-500 lens to photograph the bird's activities – but my reaction time and tracking abilities were not up to the task. So I used an 800mm prime with the R5, cable release, tripod and gimbal and tried again on another day. On this occasion, I could watch the whole scene and not just what was shown in the viewfinder, and could release the shutter as the parent swallow approached the post. This photo is one of the successful captures.

(Canon R5 with Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM , 1/5000 sec, f/11, ISO 1600)

Welcome Swallows, Jerrabomberra Wetlands, ACT

 

Early morning fishing by Sharon Jones

WINNER: BIRDS IN FLIGHT

A Pied Heron skims the surface of a dwindling waterhole fishing on the wing (although unsuccessfully on this occasion). I only observed this behaviour for a couple of weeks at the end of Darwin’s dry season as the waterhole started to dry up, concentrating fish and attracting large numbers of waterbirds, but was not sufficiently shallow in its centre for the birds to stand. This morning there was one small patch of golden light reflecting the rising sun, which the birds appeared to studiously avoid! However, watching and waiting patience finally paid off as this bird entered the golden zone.

(Canon R5 with Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM, 1/3200 sec, f/2.8, ISO 400)

Pied Heron, Knuckey Lagoon, NT

Instagram: @sharonjones_wildlifephoto
Facebook: Sharon Jones Wildlife Photography

 

Spoonbill on a Foggy Morning by Kelly Asmus Albornoz

WINNER: BIRDS IN THE LANDSCAPE

I was up earlier than everyone else in our camp, just as the sun started getting ready to peek over the horizon. It was quiet and a little chilly due to the thick fog blanketing the lake and once the sun came up above the horizon, the fog started to glow.

(Canon R5 with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM at 47mm, 1/125 sec, f/4, ISO 100)

Royal Spoonbill, Lake Broadwater, QLD

Instagram: @albatross_photography_design
Facebook: Albatross Photography and Design

The nibbler by Maria Coleman

WINNER: SPECIAL THEME (LAND OF THE PARROTS)

The Ground Parrot loves feeding on fresh grass seeds and watching it feed was very interesting. The bird would grab and pull down the stem of the grass with its foot, then nibble the seeds in a row like people eating a cob of corn. I spent a time observing this behaviour and as the sun was getting low on the horizon it positioned itself in a clear position, enabling the capture of this image. Then it walked off and climbed into some native ferns before disappearing.

(Canon 1DX Mark III with Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + teleconverter 1.4x III at 700mm, 1/1250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 3200)

Eastern Ground Parrot, Shoalhaven, NSW

Instagram: @meadowbellphotography
Facebook: Meadow Bell Photography

 
 

One man's trash… by Jennifer Noble

WINNER: HUMAN IMPACT

I have been photographing this male Western Bowerbird for a long time now, having built his bower close to our shack in the Goldfields of WA. He is endlessly fascinating and I am so lucky to observe his many behaviours and to listen to his perfect mimicry of other birds. Unfortunately, a mining company has moved in very close to us, and there is constant blasting and the invasive noise of huge machinery devouring the earth. However, he goes about his business trying to attract a female. I never want to see the day when his bower has only man-made rubbish decorating it and the sounds that he mimics are those of the very machinery destroying his natural habitat.

(Nikon D500 with AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f.4.5-5.6G ED VR at 270mm, 1/1250 sec, f/7.1, ISO 1250)

Western Bowerbird, Northern Goldfields, WA

Instagram: @theshack.photography
Facebook: The Shack Photography

Canopy dance by Matthew Wu

WINNER: YOUTH
Aged 15

After waiting in the rainforest to capture the Paradise Riflebirds displaying, a female hopped on the branch and I was able to capture the male displaying to her. I really liked the behaviour captured in this shot and I was quite happy to get this photo after the many hours I spent waiting.

(Nikon D7100 with  AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR at 500mm, 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 8063)

Paradise Riflebirds, Mt Glorious, QLD

@mwu_photos

 
 

The ’Jabirus’ of Corroboree by Nathan Watson

WINNER: PORTFOLIO

Corroboree Billabong is a pristine freshwater ecosystem within the Mary River wetlands of the Northern Territory. With native lotus and nymphaea water lilies flowering across the expansive floodplain, it is teeming with birdlife. Standing head and shoulders above them all are the Black-necked Storks, more commonly called ‘Jabirus’. Spending five days with a local guide on the billabong, I observed many wonderful moments of these majestic but sometimes gawky birds. My goal was to take a series of images that captures the character and elegance of the Jabirus of Australia’s Top End.

Black-necked Stork, Corroboree Billabong, NT

Instagram: @nathan_watson_photography
Facebook: Nathan Watson Photography

 

In 2024, our judges have also awarded Highly Commended and Commended entrants for the outstanding quality of their images. Each entrant will receive a personalised certificate in recognition of their achievement.

Highly Commended

Backyard Birds

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Photographs of backyard bird species from around Australia.

 

Bird Behaviour

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Photographs capturing the natural behaviours of Australian birds, such as feeding, courting, playing, fighting, preening and socialising.

 

Bird Portrait

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Photographs where the bird is the star of the show!

 

Birds in Flight

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Photographs of birds doing what they do best – flying!

 

Birds in the Landscape

Sponsored by Lake Cowal Foundation

Photographs of birds in the context of their natural environment.

 
 

Special Theme: Land of the Parrots

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Australia is truly the land of parrots! This category is a celebration of Australia’s charismatic and colourful lorikeet and parrot species.

 
 

Youth

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Photos taken by young photographers under the age of 18.

 

Human Impact

Sponsored by Nikon Australia

Photographs that illustrate the impacts of humans on birds, either positive or negative.

 
 

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.

Eastern Indian Ocean seabirds by Claire Greenwell

 

Heron v dragonfly by David Stowe

Commended

Special Theme: Land of the Parrots

  • A pair by Fran Solly

  • Double vision by Alan Bennett

  • Fig jam by David Stowe

  • Green Rosella by Larissa Hill

  • Lorikeet in luxury by Isla Carruthers

  • Red-winged Parrot by Jessica Hartley

  • Rosella in the rain by Kylie Facey

  • Snack time by Helen Repacholi

Youth

  • Catch my drift! by Spencer Hitchen

  • Charging by D'Artagnan Sprengel

  • Crested resilience by Charlie White

  • Kapok parrot by Raz Brewer

  • Limping by Tom Barisic

  • Lunch at the rockpools by Spencer Hitchen

  • Osprey with a catch by Tom Barisic

  • Peeping through the she-oaks by Spencer Hitchen

Human Impact

  • Cassowary on patrol by Catherine Pillans

  • Chip chomp by Jacalyn Hollick

  • Coastal views by Sandy Ashley

  • Echoes of research by Nik Schubert

  • Finger licking by Raoul Slater

  • Fox attack by Harry van der Zon

  • Sticky beak by Maria Coleman

  • The wrong catch by Connor Evans

  • Snare in the air by Jagadeesh Herur

Portfolio Prize

  • Rare, vulnerable and near-mythical by Graham Gall

  • Honeyeaters on bloom by David Ongley

  • Rock legends by Patricia Sweet

  • Juggling the tennis ball by Erika Smart

  • About to swoop by Rob Drummond

  • Just add water by Veronica McPhail

  • Minor annoyance by Michael Chay

  • The art of bird photography by Jessica Hartley

  • The thick-knees of the historic Stradbroke Island cemetery by Raoul Slater

Backyard Birds

  • Acting like a Galah by Nathan Watson

  • Backyard spectators by Sue Allison

  • Morning visitor by John McCormick

  • The odd one out by Catherine Pillans

Bird Behaviour

  • Black Kite with kill by Michael Hamel-Green

  • Currawong attack on Wedge-tailed Eagle by Richard Arculus

  • Fast food by Claire Greenwell

  • Stay away by Donald Chin

  • Room for one more? by Erika Smart

Bird Portrait

  • Double trouble by Celine Khaw

  • Egret sunrise by Sharon Jones

  • Lineal Little Bittern by Hamish Burrell

  • Mohawk pigeon by Raz Brewer

  • Picnic poacher by Nathan Watson

  • Smile, it’s a new day by Veronica McPhail

Birds in Flight

  • A knot of knots by Sharon Jones

  • Black-shouldered Kite mouse transfer by Alan Bennett

  • Frozen double-bar by David Stowe

  • High five by Beverley Oliver

  • Ibis & palm by David Stowe

  • Lyrebird volplane by Ian Wilson

  • Synchronised plovers by Nathan Watson

  • The silent assassin by Warren Chad

  • Yelarbon mural by Raoul Slater

  • Rainbow Lorikeet in flight by Monique McEwen

Birds in the Landscape

  • Pied Cormorant on K’gari by Eva Turek

  • Pink light by Sören Salvatore

  • Protector by Mitch Ruigrok

  • Royalty by Katie Howard

  • Spot on by Cheng Kang

  • Sunbird by Jennifer Carrigan

  • The art of blending in by Jessica Hartley

 

Special thanks

A huge thank you to those who made the 2024 BirdLife Australia Photography Awards competition possible, especially:

Judges:

  • Diana Andersen

  • Josh Galicki

  • Craig Greer

  • Jason Moore

  • Peter O’Brien

  • Shelley Pearson

  • Angela Robertson-Buchanan

  • Michael Snedic

  • Melissa Zappelli

Competition Coordinator:

  • Graham Cam

and our event sponsors:

Thank you for your support, and see you again in 2025!