Welcome to the 2026 Chicago Bird Photography Contest!
The 2026 Chicago Bird Photography Contest is now closed. For information about the contest, rules, judgement, and other details of how the contest was run, you can read more below. Plans for 2027 are still in development. Check back in the new year for contest information and details in January.
The 2026 Chicago Bird Photography Contest is a joint initiative of the Chicago Park District, Chicago Ornithological Society, Chicago Bird Alliance, and Windy City Bird Lab.
Announcing the Winners of the 2026 Chicago Bird Photography Contest
We are thrilled to announce the winners of Chicago’s bird photography competition! Over the course of spring and summer, we received hundreds of stunning photos from photographers across the city. No two photos were the same and each captured a unique moment demonstrating the tremendous breadth of bird life to be found in the city. While tough decisions were made to declare winners, we extend our sincerest thanks to all photographers for participating and offering us a chance to see Chicago’s true nature through their eyes and lenses.
We’d like to extend a special thanks to this year’s judges who took the time to pour through all of the submissions, evaluate each photo, and come to a consensus on this year’s winners.
Join us for a gathering at Big Marsh Park as we unveil the nature center’s new photo gallery featuring this year’s contest winning photos! Enjoy some light refreshments while you connect with fellow photographers and bird enthusiasts and celebrate everyone’s photographic accomplishments. Event is free and open to all.
Category: Birds in my Neighborhood Central-West
1st: Desislav Iliev
2nd: Austin St. Peter
3rd: Rob Gregory
4th: Miranda Schmidt
Category: Birds in my Neighborhood North-Northwest
1st: Austin St. Peter
2nd: Leyla Royale
3rd: Shea Dettling
4th: Vera Boparai
Category: Birds in my Neighborhood South-Southwest
1st: Demond McDonald
2nd: Shawn Pfautsch
3rd: Ari Akagawa
4th: Phillip Stosberg
Category: Birds in my Neighborhood Southeast
1st: Phillip Stosberg
2nd: Jonathan Becks
3rd: Austin St. Peter
4th: Saskia Weisgerber
Category: Feathered Flocks
1st: Sam Clancy
2nd: Mark Noll
3rd: Max Kelly
4th: Carolyn Markel
Category: Lakefront Flyers
1st: Ari Akagawa
2nd: Max Kelly
3rd: Sharina Shelton
4th: Mark Noll
Category: Seasonal Spectacles
1st: Max Koop
2nd: Luke Rollfinke
3rd: Karlos Bledsoe
4th: Sven Kranz
Category: Urban Aviary
1st: Jaqueline Mondragon
2nd: Jordan Anderson
3rd: Leyla Royale
4th: Thea DiLeonardi
Category: Wetland Wonders
1st: Ben Speckman
2nd: Thea DiLeonardi
3rd: Jonathan Becks
4th: Kris Wylder
How it Works
Beginning on April 15, all Chicagoan’s are invited to take pictures of wild birds, wherever they may be found in city limits. Any photo taken with any device is eligible for submission to the contest as long as it meets the guidelines listed further down this page. Once you have a photo that you like, you can submit it for judgement in the contest at any time between April 15 and August 1. There are six categories which you can submit your photo to and all participants are eligible to submit one photo for each category. Because a lot can happen in four months, we encourage photographers to consider waiting a bit before submitting.
To help you on your photography journey, several classes and photography hikes will be held through the spring and summer. These events are free, open to all, and designed to help hone your photography skills and help find birds to photograph!
Once the submission period closes on August 1 (extended to Aug 8), judges will get to work evaluating your photos. Each category will have one winner and three runners up. Winners will be announced on August 22 and their photos professionally printed. Winning photo prints will first be on display at The Urban Birding Festival in September after which all photos will be placed on display at the Ford Calumet Environmental Learning Center at Big Marsh Park with a gallery opening and contest celebration taking place in October. Winners will also receive a $100 cash prize!
Before you head out to take your epic photos, please take a moment to read out brief guide regarding bird photography ethics below.
Bird Photography Ethics
As exciting as encounters with and taking pictures of wildlife can be, we must always be aware of the impacts that humans have on our wild neighbors. It is our responsibility as photographers and wild life enthusiasts to ensure that while we enjoy their company, our presence and activities do not harm these animals or the habitats they call home. Human disturbance can expose birds to hazards such as collision with buildings and cars, attacks from predators, and starvation. Fortunately, it is fairly easy to ensure we are being ethical photographers. Here are some key steps and guidelines to keep in mind when photographing birds and other wildlife:
Do not chase birds. If it flies away, then you are too stressing them out.
Do not bait birds with food. Established bird feeders are the exception here.
Do not use calls to draw birds out or get a reaction.
Do not trample or damage plants or vegetation the birds are found in by staying on designated trails. Leave the space as you found it.
Nests are sacred spaces so keep your distance. Photographs of nests at a distance are allowed, but photographs of baby birds inside nests will not be accepted or considered.
Given their high vulnerability to harassment, photographs of owls in winter/spring will not be considered and unlikely to judged in general. Click here for more info about ethical owl photography.
For further information about ethical birding and bird photography, check out these resources:
Submit Your Photos
Ecological Categories
Birds in My Neighborhood - Regional Categories - NEW!
This new set of regional categories celebrates seeing birds anywhere in Chicago's varied green spaces–big or small. Entries should highlight birds being observed anywhere in Chicago’s many neighborhood parks. Birds are everywhere! For a map of which of the four regions your neighborhood falls into, see this google map.
Contest Details
Timeline
April 15 - Contest and photo submission period begins!
Date TBA - Photography class at North Park Village Nature Center
Date TBA - Photography class at Big Marsh Park
Date TBA - Photography class at Northerly Island
April through July - Photo hikes at various Chicago parks
August 1 - Submission period ends - Extended to Aug 8!
August 22 - Winners announced
September 18 - Winning photos displayed at Urban Birding Festival
November 14 - Public celebration and winner photo gallery
Participant Eligibility
Chicago residents of all ages and backgrounds with an interest in birds, nature, photography, and conservation are welcome to participate.
Contest Categories
Urban Aviary: Showcase the beauty of birds amidst Chicago's urban landscape. From pigeons perched on skyscrapers to sparrows fluttering in city parks, capture the essence of birds thriving in an urban environment.
Lakefront Flyers: Highlight the avian wonders found along the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan. Whether it's gulls gliding over the water or majestic herons hunting along the coastline, capture the essence of lakeside birdlife.
Seasonal Spectacles: Explore the seasonal changes in bird behavior. Submit photos showcasing migratory birds visiting Chicago during different seasons or document resident birds' activities throughout the year.
Feathered Flocks: Highlight the social dynamics and interactions among bird species in Chicago. Showcase captivating moments of birds congregating in groups, whether it's a murmuration of starlings, a gathering of waterfowl, or any communal behavior that illustrates the fascinating social lives of birds within the cityscape.
Wetland Wonders: Focus on the rich biodiversity of birdlife thriving within the wetlands of Chicago Parks. Capture the splendor of marsh-dwelling birds, such as herons, egrets, marsh wrens, or other waterfowl. Showcase the unique beauty and behaviors of these avian inhabitants against the backdrop of the park's wetland landscapes, emphasizing the significance of these natural habitats within an urban setting like Chicago.
Birds in My Neighborhood: This new set of regional categories celebrates seeing birds anywhere in Chicago's varied green spaces–big or small. Entries should highlight birds being observed anywhere in Chicago’s many neighborhood parks. Birds are everywhere! For a map of which of the four regions your neighborhood falls into, see this google map..
Submission Guidelines
Each participant can submit one high-resolution photographs per category (see contest categories above)
Photos must be taken within the city limits of Chicago.
Photos must be taken in the current year of 2026.
Images should feature wild birds in an outdoor setting.
Submissions must be original works taken by the participant. Stock photos, generated photos (including AI generated or composites), or photos not belonging to the participant will be disqualified.
Digital manipulation (such as Photoshop) should be limited to basic exposure, color correction, and cropping. Extensively manipulated images will not be considered.
Submitted photos should not have watermarks, borders, or any other personal identifiers.
Participants must possess full rights to the submitted photos and by entering the contest, grant Chicago Bird Alliance, Chicago Ornithological Society, and Chicago Park District a non-exclusive right to use and reproduce the photos. The copyright will be retained by the submitter.
Photos should not have been previously published or awarded in other contests.
Participants must provide a brief caption with each photo, including the bird species if known, and the location of the shot.
Classes/Programs
During the submission period, expert led field trips and classes will take place to give you an opportunity hone your photography skills, learn from experts, meet other photographers, ask questions, and, of course, find birds! These events are free and open to all regardless of background, contest participation, or experience level. RSVP is required. Please do for each separately.
Judging
Our panel of judges, drawn for organizations and neighborhoods from across Chicago, will judge entries based on creativity, composition, and adherence to the category theme. One winner and three runner-ups will be selected for each category. Judgement will take place immediately following close of submission on August 1st and end with announcing winners on August 22nd.
Reception
Following judgement, all of the winning and runners-ups photos submissions will be printed, framed, and put on display in the Ford-Calumet Environmental Center at Big Marsh Park. A public opening reception and celebration will take place at the center on November 14. Event details coming soon!
Help and Further Questions
Any questions can be submitted to chicagobirder@gmail.com. Indicate “Photography Contest” in the subject-line.
The 2026 Chicago Bird Photography Contest was made possible through the shared efforts of the Chicago Park District, Chicago Ornithological Society, Chicago Bird Alliance, and Windy City Bird Lab.