There are nearly 10,000 species of identified birds in the world. Some birds are thin and lanky with enormous wing spans, others are tiny and compact as tennis balls. Some birds live deep in forests, others wander along ponds. Some fly thousands of miles to migrate to warmer conditions and some hop around a defined block of territory. The diversity is endlessly fascinating and it has helped guide the progress of science. Darwin famously studied finches to advance his theory of evolution and today birds have become helpful in tracking and understanding climate change. 

Each year, The National Audubon Society hosts a photography contest to explore birds in all their beauty. This year's contest garnered submissions from more than 1,700 photographers in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia and six Canadian provinces. Go here to browse all the submissions, but in the meantime, here are some real gems:


Image: Northern Cardinal / Top 100, Amateur Category. Brian Kushner / Audubon Photography Awards


Image: King Penguin / Top 100, Amateur Category. Debra Herst / Audubon Photography Awards


Image: Fine Art Winner: Green Violetear, photographed at the Savegre Hotel, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica. Barbara Driscoll / Audubon Photography Awards


Image: Grand Prize Winner: Bald Eagle. Great Blue Heron. Bonnie Block / Audubon Photography Awards


Image: Canada Goose / Top 100, Amateur Category. Barb D'Arpino / Audubon Photography Awards


Image: Roseate Spoonbills / Top 100, Amateur Category. Judylynn Malloch / Audubon Photography Awards


Image: American Goldfinch / Top 100, Amateur Category. Deborah O'Sullivan / Audubon Photography Awards


Image: Little Blue Heron / Top 100, Amateur Category. Lynn Miller / Audubon Photography Awards


Image: Amateur Honorable Mention: Common Raven, photographed in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Colleen Gara / Audubon Photography Awards


Image: Sandhill Cranes, Northern Pintails and Mallards / Top 100, Amateur Category. Dale Erickson / Audubon Photography Awards


Image: Eastern Screech-Owl / Top 100, Amateur Category. William Kleinfelder / Audubon Photography Awards


Go check out the rest of the winners here

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Defend the Planet

12 stunning photos of birds around the world that help guide science

By Joe McCarthy