From July 16 to 30, delegates attending BirdsCaribbean’s 25th International Conference turned their lenses toward the birds, people, and beautiful landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago. Their 147 submissions gave our Photo Contest judges plenty to admire—and more than a few difficult decisions! Meet the talented photographers and wonderful images that rose to the top of the 2026 BirdsCaribbean Photography Contest.
With over 500 recorded bird species — including a dazzling 19 species of hummingbird — Trinidad and Tobago is a veritable mecca of Caribbean birding. From wild savannahs and lush rainforests, to rich mangroves and even right in the middle of the city — birds are everywhere! T&T’s unique location means that West Indian wonders fly amongst South American specialties, making the twin-island nation a visual treat like no other.
Photographers submitted 147 images across three categories: Birds of Trinidad and Tobago, Fun with Birds and People, and Landscapes and Nature, capturing everything from elusive endemics to raucous city parrots! Our judges considered technical skill, storytelling, and respect for wildlife while reviewing the entries.
MEET OUR WINNERS, WITH SOME COMMENTS FROM THE JUDGES:
The Grand Prize Goes To…
Bottoms Up by J.E. Foster. There’s a special magic in capturing a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment with such perfect timing! The judges praised Jerome’s delightful shot of a Great Kiskadee tossing a juicy caterpillar into the air—suspended for just an instant before its open beak. “This is a very unique moment that required technique, knowledge of bird behavior, and being at the right place at the right time.” “Super catch of both Kiskadee and caterpillar.”
Kiskadees are ubiquitous in T&T. We love that Jerome’s photo delightfully reminds us to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary—there’s always a reward for the patient observer.
Jerome told us:
“Great Kiskadees are among the most common tyrant flycatchers in Trinidad & Tobago—and among the boldest. This boldness makes them one of my favourite birds to observe. I was driving into a favourite birding spot when I saw this individual acting very excitedly. After a few moments, I realised it had caught a sphinx moth caterpillar. For about 30 seconds, it tenderized the poor caterpillar by hitting it against its rocky perch and tossing it into the air until it was just the right degree of ‘cooked’! With one final toss, it swallowed it whole!
“Winning the grand prize reminds me to be grateful for the common species and moments we tend to overlook. Every bird matters, whether rare or common, and seeing them in action is always worthwhile! I’m so grateful to have been chosen and appreciate BirdsCaribbean’s continued efforts to protect our native birds. I hope photos like mine help others appreciate the complexity and beauty of nature all around us—even in these common ‘yellow birds’!”
Birds of Trinidad and Tobago
From charismatic macaws at home in the middle of the nation’s capital to Scarlet Ibises putting rainbows to shame, these entries celebrated the magnificent birds that make Trinidad and Tobago one of the Caribbean’s most thrilling birding destinations.
First Prize: Wings at Rest by Mario Marrero. “Exceptional clarity and sharpness, with the bird’s colours standing out beautifully against the soft, neutral background.”
Second Prize: Male Barred Antshrike by Amy Vu. “The softly focused background invites you to study the subject, while the textured bark adds depth, context, and interest to the composition.”
Third Prize: Eclipse Totality by Zakariyya Ali. “A beautifully atmospheric image that brings together light, colour, and movement in one fleeting moment — the kind of shot possible only when all the right circumstances align!”
Honorable Mentions: Ruby-topaz Hummingbird by Amarylis Lebron, Family Matters II by J.E. Foster, A Perfect Perch by Mario Marrero, and Trini Kiskadee by Michael Ocasio. Scroll down to enjoy these photographs in our Honorable Mentions gallery.
Fun with Birds and People
Whether city-birding in the Queen’s Park Savannah or exploring the wild Aripo Savannas, T&T gave our delegates moments of wonder, joy — and intense concentration! This category highlights the connections between people, birds, and nature.
First Prize: Mangrove Expedition-Nariva Swamp by Jose Alberto. “The wide-angle lens creates a fascinating, immersive perspective, placing the viewer into the world of the photo, journeying with the delegates through the mangrove channel.”
Second Prize: Sunrise Birdwatching-Caroni Field Trip by Jose Alberto. “The more I looked at this photo, the more I fell in love with it — the beautiful early morning light, everyone looks like they are kind of in awe at the beautiful wetland and sunrise in front of them.” “Super composition — a real feeling of expectation at dawn.”
Third Prize: Legless Lizard Photoshoot by Michelle Moyer. “Intense concentration!” “This entry perfectly typifies the category: three photographers all intently focused on their subject — each locked in a different stance — capturing the joy of going eagerly after the perfect shot!”
Honorable Mentions: Accidental Renaissance by Giselle Deane, Close Encounter-Mark & Black Vulture by Jose Alberto, and Looking Up-Caroni Swamp by Dalini Oumade Singh.
Landscapes and Nature
The birds may be the stars, but sometimes the supporting cast steals the show! This category showcases the beauty of Trinidad and Tobago’s forests, wetlands, coastlines, flora, and other native wildlife in their natural environments.
First Prize: Rainbow over Caroni Swamp by Jose Alberto. “The beautiful light and well-balanced composition make this image stand out, while the rainbow adds wonderful magic to an already atmospheric scene.” “A rainbow always adds to the success of a photo.”
Second Prize: Rise and Shine by Mirielle Villanueva. “Beautifully evocative, with striking reflections that add depth and a wonderful sense of stillness to the early-morning scene.”
Third Prize: Vine Snake by Sariah Ramcharitar. “A striking portrait with immediate visual impact — the snake’s elegant lines and piercing gaze draw the viewer in!”
Honorable Mentions: Reflections by Alana Joseph, Coconut Highway by J. E. Foster, Scarlet River, Caroni Swamp, Trinidad by Matt Williams, and Into the Mangroves, Caroni Swamp by Dalini Oumade Singh.
A Round of Applause!
Our Grand Prize winner will receive a Vortex Razor HD 27-60×85 (Angled) Spotting Scope. First, Second, and Third Prize winners will receive $100, $50, and $25 Amazon gift cards.
A heartfelt thank you to our judges — Eladio Fernandez, Andrew Dobson, and John Webster — for their time and careful evaluation of each submission. We are tremendously grateful to Vortex Optics for generously donating the Grand Prize.
Thank you especially to every photographer who entered. Your images captured not only the extraordinary biodiversity of Trinidad and Tobago, but also the curiosity, joy, adventure, and sense of community that made our Silver Anniversary Conference so special.
Choosing only a handful of winners was no small task. Enjoy the Honorable Mentions below.
