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Winners of the International
Macaronesian Seabird Photography Contest Announced!
Explore the stunning images and celebrate the beauty of Macaronesia’s seabirds. Scroll down to view the winning images and learn more about this year’s competition
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1st Place (adults)
Phaethon lepturus, photo by Gerby Michielson
White-tailed tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus), Ponta Delgada, São Miguel.
This year, the first prize goes to a photograph of a bird rarely seen in the Azores. In fact, this is only the second time this species has been recorded in the entire Western Palearctic. The white-tailed tropicbird inhabits tropical and subtropical oceans and is often seen near islands, where it nests in rocky crevices. It is a stunning seabird, recognized for its long, slender tail feathers and its brilliant white plumage with black markings. Its elegant silhouette is beautifully captured in this winning photo from the 2024 edition of the Asas do Mar photography contest.
The story behind the image:
“Every rare bird has its story, and this one is particularly intriguing. First spotted in the summer of 2011 in Fajãzinha, Flores Island, it sought refuge in the tower of a church. After disappearing in the fall, it was seen again in 2012 and 2013, returning to the Azores for three consecutive years. During a university meeting in Ponta Delgada, I suddenly saw the bird behind a glass window, sitting near an air conditioning unit, where it was attempting to breed. It was at that moment that I went to the building rooftop and captured this unique image with Serra Gorda as the backdrop.”
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1st Place (young photographer)
There it goes, photo by Gabriel Costa
Cory's shearwater (Calonectris borealis), near Vila Franca do Campo islet, São Miguel.
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2nd Place (adults)
Last silhouettes, photo by Anxo Cao
Common tern (Sterna hirundo), Caloura, São Miguel, summer 2024.
The common tern is one of the most widespread seabirds in the Azores and a regular summer companion at the coastline. Who hasn’t enjoyed watching their spectacular speed diving? This elegant seabird is known for its agile flight and distinctive calls. In the Azores, it nests mainly in coastal areas (cliffs and islets) but can also be found inland, such as in the lagoons of Flores and São Miguel. These migratory birds travel thousands of kilometres between their wintering grounds (e.g., Brazil and Argentina) and the Azores, where they breed. They are present on the islands between March and September, with some individuals staying until November, highlighting the importance of the Azores as a vital habitat for seabird conservation.
The story behind the image:
“In this sunset photograph, I captured a common tern in a moment different from the usual. I wanted to highlight its return to the coastal colony to rest. This image shows another side of its habits and reflects its nocturnal life.”
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2nd Place (young photographer)
On the way to paradise, photo by Gabriel Costa, depicting the nighttime return of Cory's shearwaters to their colonies.
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3rd Place (adults)
Photograph with sound, photo by Francisco Garcia
Cry of the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) on Vila Franca do Campo islet, São Miguel.
The yellow-legged gull is one of the most common birds in the Azores and the only seabird resident year-round. It’s no surprise that it often features in nature photography in the Azores and has been part of winning images in previous years. It nests in coastal areas and even in inland lagoons, with São Miguel hosting its highest-altitude colony at Pico da Vara. Although common, it plays an important ecological role, such as dispersing nutrients and controlling populations of small rodents and insects.
The story behind the image:
“The characteristic cry of the yellow-legged gull is inseparable from Vila Franca do Campo. Visitors to the marina or the islet are greeted by their calls, a natural soundtrack that defines the region's landscape.”
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3rd Place (young photographer)
Tern searching for food, photo by Tiago Freitas (Sterna hirundo), Madalena, Pico.
Tiago told us about the moment he took this picture… “I was photographing a white heron far off on the pier when I noticed this tern flying back and forth. Occasionally, it would dive to catch an unsuspecting fish.”
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Honorable Mention
Leucogaster on the Gilberto Mariano, photo by Tomás Melo
Brown booby (Sula leucogaster) on an Atlânticoline ferry between Pico and Faial. Another image of a non-breeding bird in the Azores. The brown booby is a medium-sized seabird, known for its striking black-brown and white plumage and spectacular dives in search of food. It breeds in tropical and subtropical regions, preferring remote coastal areas and islets for nesting, where it forms large colonies. In the summer of 2024, one of these birds delighted birdwatchers in the triangle Islands and caught the keen eye of architect Tomás Melo.
The story behind the image:
“During a ferry trip between Madalena and Horta, a brown booby surprised everyone by calmly sitting in the upper deck chairs, completely unbothered by human presence. As I sat next to it to try and photograph it, it came even closer, allowing me to capture this special image. It was a memorable experience, showcasing how some birds use human-made structures to their advantage—a fascinating role reversal that excites me.”