Bird Photo Competition 4 2020 : Entry Number 62

Judges Comment

One of the numerous options to achieve a successful bird image is to capture a distinctive aspect of bird behaviour. Most major bird photography competitions have a section dedicated to these types of shots and this image is a good example of a behaviour called 'kleptoparasitism', in which birds steal food from other birds. Some bird species have become so successful in attaining food in this way that it becomes a specialism, as it has for these Skuas (also known as Jaegers), which chase birds such as this Kittiwake relentlessly until they give up their catch. By including a line of three Skuas in this image (possibly a family group), the photo tells a story as well as simply depicting a behaviour.