The winners of the Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 competition have been announced, with a striking image of a northern gannet bursting from the ocean's surface capturing the grand prize. This prestigious annual award, which received over 24,000 entries from photographers around the world, awarded £3,000 to the overall winner. The winning photograph, titled "Sunball Rocket," was taken by Henry Spiers from the United Kingdom. Entered into the Birds in the Environment category, where it also won, the image was captured in the waters of Scotland. Spiers described the northern gannets as leading a dual life: nurturing their young in nests while reinforcing social bonds through interactions like pointing their beaks toward the sky and gently touching their white necks. When in flight, the gannets switch to hunting mode, using their sharp eyes to spot prey in the ocean below. They can dive from heights of up to 30 meters at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, making them one of the most efficient diving birds in the world. In the Young Bird Photographer of the Year category, 16-year-old Parham Pourahmad from the United States took first place with his photograph "Moonlit Night." The image shows a great horned owl framed against the full moon. Pourahmad described how he initially set out to photograph a pair of great horned owls nesting in a park near his home. However, his plans changed when he noticed the full moon rising on the horizon. One of the owls flew down to a pine tree, and Pourahmad quickly adjusted his position to capture the owl against the moonlight, resulting in a striking and atmospheric image. The competition organizers highlighted that conservation is a central theme of the event. This year, the competition has donated over £5,000 to its partner charity, Birds on the Brink, which supports local bird conservation efforts around the world. The funds help protect and preserve bird species and their habitats through community-led initiatives. Entries for next year’s competition are already open, and photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to submit their bird photographs at birdpoty.com. The competition continues to draw attention to the beauty of birds while promoting their conservation, offering a platform for both emerging and established photographers to showcase their work.