This year's competition marks 10 years of outstanding bird photography. Many of the distinguished photographs portray striking bird species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, one of Audubon’s founding conservation victories and one of the most important bird conservation laws, which has protected countless birds since 1918.
Here are 10 of the finest images from the competition.
White necked Jacobin by Mariam Kamal, 2019 Amateur winner
Dave and Dave’s Nature Park, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica
Greater Sage Grouse Fight by Elizabeth Boehm, Professional winner
Pinedale, Wyoming
Bald Eagle by Kevin Ebi, Professional honourable mention
San Juan Island National Historical Park, Friday Harbor, Washington
'The fight began when the bald eagle attempted to steal the rabbit away from the young fox, known as a kit. When the bald eagle grabbed the rabbit, it inadvertently also caught the fox, lifting both more than 20 feet into the air. The fox swung back and forth trying to take the rabbit back. The bald eagle released the fox and flew off with the rabbit. The whole struggle lasted 8 seconds. While bald eagles and foxes occasionally hunt rabbits, it is a relatively rare occurrence. Up to 97 percent of an eagle's diet consists of fish and birds; red foxes more commonly eat berries, insects and small mammals, like the vole.' — Kevin Ebi
Bobolink by Garrett Sheets, Youth honourable mention
Dunn Ranch Prairie, Lincoln Township, Missouri
Black-browed Albatross by Ly Dang, 2019 Fisher Prize winner
Saunders Island, Falkland Islands
Purple Gallinule on a fire flag by Joseph Przybyla, Plants For Birds honourable mention
Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland, Florida
Red winged Blackbird by Kathrin Swoboda, Amateur Grand Prize winner
Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria, Virginia
Hooded Oriole on a California fan palm by Michael Schulte, Plants For Birds winner
San Diego, California
Horned Puffin by Sebastian Velasquez, Youth winner
Alaska SeaLife Center (accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums©), Seward, Alaska
Great Blue Heron by Melissa Rowell, Amateur honourable mention
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach, Florida
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Vertigo at Victoria Falls, a sunset surrounded by lions and swimming in the Nile: A journey from Cape Town to CairoWhy do we travel and who inspires us to do so? Chris Wallace went in search of answers on his own epic journey the length of Africa.
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A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River TayCarnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
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Exploring the countryside is essential for our wellbeing, but Right to Roam is going backwardsCampaigners in England often point to Scotland as an example of how brilliantly Right to Roam works, but it's not all it's cracked up to be, says Patrick Galbraith.
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In all its glory: One of Britain’s most striking moth species could be making a comebackThe Kentish glory moth has been absent from England and Wales for around 50 years.
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The birds of urban paradise: How to get twitching without leaving the cityYou don't need to leave the concrete jungle to spot some rare and interesting birds. Here's a handy guide to birdspotting in Britain's towns and cities.
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Food with a pinch of salt: The crops we can harvest from the seaFilling, rewarding and nutritious, vegetables and plants grown in saline environments — whether by accident or design — have plenty of potential. Illustration by Alan Baker.
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White-tailed eagles could soon soar free in southern EnglandNatural England is considering licensing the release of the raptors in Exmoor National Park — and the threat to pets and livestock is considered to be low.
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Britain's whale boom and and the predator that's far scarier than a great white shark, with wildlife cinematographer Dan AbbottThe wildlife cinematographer Dan Abbott joins us on the Country Life Podcast.
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'They are inclined to bite and spray acid to protect territory': Meet the feisty red wood ant -
The King wants YOU: His Majesty's call-to-arms for under-35s across BritainThe King’s Foundation has launched its ‘35 under 35’ initiative — a UK-wide search for ‘the next generation of exceptional makers and changemakers’ who want to work holistically with Nature.
