The Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 is an international photography competition dedicated exclusively to bird photography. The contest welcomes photographers worldwide, from professionals to amateurs and youth photographers, and stands out as one of the few free photography contests available today. Participants are encouraged to submit images in ten distinct categories that reflect various facets of bird photography, ranging from bird portraits and behavioral studies to artistic interpretations and conservation storytelling.
The competition provides winners with multiple rewards, including valuable travel vouchers, photography hide-rental opportunities, and photography gear vouchers. The main prize—awarded to the overall winner, the “Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year”—is valued at 250,000 HUF (approximately €650 or $700). Additional major awards include the “Birdo Young Bird Photographer of the Year,” valued at 100,000 HUF (approximately €260 or $280), and the “Birdo Bird Photograph of the Year,” which includes an 80,000 HUF voucher (approximately €210 or $225). Winners and selected photographers will also receive extensive exposure through national exhibitions, media coverage, and inclusion in the official Birdo photography book.
The submission period opened on March 10, 2025, and photographers have until May 17, 2025, to enter. Final results will be revealed at the awards ceremony on November 15, 2025, at the Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden. Participation is straightforward—photographers simply register online and upload their images according to the specified guidelines. Given the clarity of its ethical guidelines, respected international jury, and notable prizes, the Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 positions itself among the leading nature photo competitions for photographers interested in bird photography and wildlife conservation.
The Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 Prizes
The Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 offers attractive awards aimed at both recognition and practical benefit for photographers:
Grand Prizes:
Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year: Travel or photography hide-rental voucher valued at 250,000 HUF (approx. €650 / $700).
Birdo Young Bird Photographer of the Year: Voucher for travel or photography training valued at 100,000 HUF (approx. €260 / $280).
Birdo Bird Photograph of the Year: Equipment voucher worth 80,000 HUF (approx. €210 / $225).
Category Prizes:
1st Place: Equipment voucher of 80,000 HUF (approx. €210 / $225)
2nd Place: Equipment voucher of 50,000 HUF (approx. €130 / $140)
3rd Place: Equipment voucher of 20,000 HUF (approx. €52 / $56)
Additionally, category winners receive a unique handmade trophy and have their work exhibited in traveling exhibitions across Hungary, featured in the Birdo photography book, and extensively promoted in national and international media outlets.
The categories of the Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025
The Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 contest features ten specialized categories designed to appeal to diverse photographic interests:
Bird Portrait: Portrait images highlighting a bird’s distinct characteristics.
Birds in the Environment: Photographs illustrating birds within their natural or urban habitats.
Bird Behaviour: Images capturing unique bird activities and behaviors.
Birds in the Air: Photographs emphasizing dynamic movement and flight.
Details: Close-ups focusing on detailed aspects of bird anatomy or feather patterns.
Birdo Special Theme – We Love Owls!: Exclusively for images featuring owl species.
BirdArt: Creative and artistic interpretations using photography and digital editing.
Conservation: Documentary-style photo series dedicated to bird conservation stories.
Open: General bird photography category open to all levels and styles.
Youth: Specifically tailored for photographers under the age of 21.
This range of categories ensures photographers of all backgrounds find a suitable niche to express their vision and talent.
Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
The timeline for the Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 is as follows:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission Opens | March 10, 2025 |
| Submission Deadline | May 17, 2025 (23:59 GMT+1) |
| First Round Judging | May 19 – June 5, 2025 |
| Second Round (Original Files Submission) | June 9 – 22, 2025 |
| Final Judging | June 28 – July 12, 2025 |
| Awards Ceremony | November 15, 2025 |
Registration Fees
The Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 contest is entirely free to enter, making it accessible to all photographers without financial restrictions.
How to Enter
To participate, photographers must register online via the official Birdo contest website. Images should be uploaded following the provided technical and ethical guidelines. Participants can edit submissions freely until the final deadline.
About the Jury
The contest jury consists of acclaimed international bird photographers and ornithological experts:
Robert Gloeckner (United States)
Svetlana Ivanenko (Russia)
Terje Kolaas (Norway)
Csaba Lóki (Hungary)
Imre Potyó (Hungary)
Dr. Endre Sós (Hungary)
Attila Szilágyi (Hungary)
Their combined experience ensures objective, ethical, and professional evaluations.
Why enter Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025?
Entering the Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 is beneficial for photographers seeking recognition, exposure, and connection within the wildlife photography community. Beyond practical prizes, photographers gain valuable exposure through exhibitions, publications, and media coverage. The ethical emphasis of the contest also aligns with the interests of those who care deeply about conservation and responsible wildlife photography practices.
Moreover, the contest’s status as one of the leading wildlife photo contests globally, coupled with free entry, makes participation accessible and appealing. Photographers seeking similar opportunities are encouraged to explore other online photography contests, regularly compiled and updated on Deartline.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Birdo Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Contest Rules Highlights
All entries must depict ethically photographed wild birds.
Photos must have been taken after January 1, 2019 (exceptions apply for conservation category).
Drone and captive bird photos are prohibited.
Original RAW or JPEG files must be provided upon request.
No AI-generated images or significant image manipulations are permitted, except in the BirdArt category.
Copyright
By entering, participants grant Birdo non-exclusive rights to use submitted images for promotional purposes across various media. Photographers retain all other copyrights.
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For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
