Welcome to the 2025 Chicago Bird Photography Contest!
Calling all shutterbugs and bird enthusiasts! We want you to capture the vibrant avian life of Chicago through your lens and participate in the "Chicago Bird Photography Contest." Photographers of all experience levels are invited to compete with winning submissions eligible for eternal bragging rights and cash prizes!
Chicago is home a diverse array of habitats and communities. Within those spaces, more than 350 birds species call Chicago home at some point during the year and with a camera now in just about every pocket we are able to observe and share images of our avian neighbors like never before. So whether your lens of choice is a cell phone, a polaroid, or a DSLR, we want to see your unique perspectives on the diverse bird species thriving in the Windy City.
How it Works
Beginning on March 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 March 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 five 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, 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.
The 2025 Chicago Bird Photography Contest is a joint initiative of the Chicago Park District, Chicago Ornithological Society, and Chicago Bird Alliance.
Photography Hikes and Classes
Throughout the contest period, a number of classes and hikes will take place. These events are designed to give photographers an opportunity to learn from experts and each other will also looking for birds to photograph. All events are free and open to all but an RSVP is required. Please RSVP for each event separately.
Photography Class
Date TBA
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Photography Class
Date TBA
Big Marsh Park
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:
Contest Details
Timeline
March 15 - Contest and photo submission period begins!
April (TBA) - Photography class at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
April (TBA) - Photography class at Big Marsh Park
April through July - Photo hikes at various Chicago parks
August 1 - Submission period ends
August 22 - Winners announced
September 13 - Winning photos displayed at Urban Birding Festival
October 11 - 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.
An honorable mention award will be presented for winning submissions from both a Park Advisory Council member (PAC) and a student or teacher in the Birds In My Neighborhood program.
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 2025.
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, 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.
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 October 11. 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 2025 Chicago Bird Photography Contest was made possible through the shared efforts of the Chicago Park District, Chicago Ornithological Society, and Chicago Bird Alliance.
