Stunning entries from the Bird Photographer of the Year competition 2017

FROM flamingoes feeding chicks to stunning birds caught mid-flight, these photos show our fine-feathered friends as you’ve never seen them before.

The winning entry from the Bird Photographer of the Year Awards 2017. Picture: Alejandro Prieto Rojas

FROM flamingoes feeding their chicks to breathtaking birds caught mid-flight, these photographs show our fine-feathered friends as you’ve never seen them before.

Now in its second year, the winners of the National Bird Photographer of the Year have been announced, confirming this year’s pecking order.

The winning entry was a striking photograph of grey flamingo chicks in a sea of their pink parents taken by Alejandro Prieto Rojas at Rio Legartos from Mexico.

“It was a tough job for the judging panel to whittle down the entries to a handful from which to choose the winners, albeit a very enjoyable tough job,” said Chris Packham, head judge on the panel of experts.

Bird Photographer of the Year Awards 2017

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“The standard of photography was extremely high and myself and the other judges were treated to some fantastic bird photographs, but congratulations must go to Alejandro Prieto Rojas for his sublime image of flamingoes, an incredible balance of colour, composition and emotion.”

The winner of the Young Bird Photographer of the Year competition was also announced. From the Czech Republic, Ondrej Pelanek’s ethereal image of a Whiskered Tern took first prize.

The competition book, published by William Collins, is now available. This 256 page volume showcases the very best imagery from the competition and features the stories behind the images as told by the photographers themselves.