This is a modified excerpt from my book, Secrets to Stunning Bird-In-Flight Photography.

Wing position: a topic with decidedly diversified preferences among BIF photographers, especially when you consider what you capture is as much up to the bird as it is the shooter. Still, I’ll toss out my opinion.

The ideal wing position is one that highlights the most visually appealing aspects of the wing or conveys a strong sense of action and energy – or, ideally, both.

Before we get too far, keep in mind that wing position is typically selected after our adventures in the field. Attempting to isolate just a single type of wing position as the bird is flapping past is a bit like gas station sushi – not something you really want to try.

How do you choose the “best” wing position from a group of images? 

Wings Up Or Down

First, think about the wing itself as you review your images – does it look better from the top, bottom, or is it appealing either way? Some birds have more striking coloration or feather patterns on one side, making that the preferred choice. In addition, if you want to highlight the bird’s body (due to coloration, interesting patterns, shapes, etc.) wings-up is usually the best bet.

Also, think about the story you want your photo to tell and how the wing position contributes to that narrative.

Wings fully up tend to convey grace and elegance, especially when the primary feathers show separation at the tips. While this position works on any bird, it’s particularly compelling for larger species.

On the other hand, wings fully down convey power, strength, and acceleration. I find it’s the most dynamic when the wings are both down and fully forward.

Wings-up tip: Pay special attention to the area near the body – sometimes the ‘wingpit’ can be less than flattering.

In this ‘wings up’ shot, the spoonbill’s colorful wings are fully displayed on both sides, along with a clear view of its body and neck.

Another variation on the “wings up” theme. I picked the one with the most “wing stretch” from the sequence. I think those look best when the bird is facing you like this. My goal was to choose an image that conveyed an angelic quality, and this one stood out as the best.

Of course, “wings down” can be just as effective – like for this European roller chasing a termite. Often, the top sides of the wings are more colorful than the bottoms, so I don’t hesitate to go for “wings down” when that’s the case. Here, the downward wing position enhances the sense of power, making it feel like the bird is launching straight at its prey.

Also, if the bird is approaching at an angle, you can usually get a nice peek at both sides of the wing. When the wings are up, the underside of the near wing and the top of the far wing become visible. Conversely, when the wings are down, the reverse is true.

Energy Level

Wing position also affects the perceived energy of a shot. Some positions naturally feel more dynamic, particularly during takeoff, landing, or banking.

I’m especially fond of the “full flaps” position that frequently occurs during a takeoff or landing maneuver when the bird is facing the camera. Often you’ll get a series of these and I usually favor the one that shows the most wing (more or less square to the camera position). However, body position and overall pose play a role as well (I love it when the bird’s body is at an angle and the wings are fully extended).

Takeoff and Landing Tip: If you’re deciding between similar shots, pay attention to the tail feathers – everything else being equal, fully spread tail feathers usually make for a stronger image.

The “full flaps” position on display as this glossy ibis comes in for a landing.

A side-view shot of a spoonbill coming in for a landing.

Side-view landing shots are another excellent way to showcase a bird’s wings. In many cases, I prefer images where the wings are positioned slightly forward of the normal ‘full flaps’ pose when the bird is facing the camera (basically, the wings about at the side as shown above).

Side shots highlight both the wing’s coloration and shape, giving you a nice two-for-one. That said, depending on body position, wings angled either forward or backward can still create a compelling image.

Another energetic favorite is the ‘wings forward’ shot, especially during takeoff. This powerful position, with wings fully extended downward and forward, creates a strong sense of motion. When selecting my favorite frame from a sequence, I scan for the shot with maximum wing stretch. A good hint that you’re looking at full extension is the spread of the flight feathers at the wing tips—when fully fanned out (almost “reaching forward”), the wings are usually at their most dramatic.

“Wings forward” is one of my favorite poses, as long as you can see the head! It really shows off the wings and feels very energetic. Those are always candidates for a pick flag in my catalog!

Banking shots (usually one wing up and one down) are always a good choice to showcase energy and movement. For banking shots, I’m usually looking for either fully stretched wings or unique positioning of the wings or body. Banking shots are a great way to show off the physique of the bird, the details in the wings, and the way the light plays with the feathers – especially if you can work in a bit of backlight.

This spoonbill demonstrates a classic banking pose, with its wings nearly fully extended, conveying both intent and energy. Plus, the backlight enhances the subtle shades of pink.

For the cliff swallow above, the composition is less ‘clean’ than the spoonbill shot we saw a moment ago, but the wing position, body angle, and turned head clearly indicate an active turn, adding a dynamic feel. Additionally, banking shots with the bird in sort of a “confused” pose can enhance the three-dimensionality of the bird in the frame.

Of course, banking doesn’t always mean seeing the underside of the bird. In this shot, he was banking into a dive and we have a fantastic view of his forward-position wings. The the angle adds tension, hinting at what’s next. The sleek positioning also gives the shot an aerodynamic quality, reminiscent of a jet fighter about to pounce on an enemy.

Tip: Avoid “flat” wings with bank shots (typically the bird is coming at you), they just don’t have the same energy in my opinion and can feel a little dull compared to the shots that show more wing.

Consider The Environmental Fit

Also, consider how the wing position fits with the rest of the composition. Wing positions don’t live in a vacuum and you have to consider the overall “pose” and how much action or energy it brings to the entire photo. Wing positioning affects not just the bird but the entire image, influencing the sense of action, balance, and energy.

Notice how, in this shot, the wings align naturally with the ‘V’ shape of the branch behind the kingfisher. This subtle but effective (and lucky) alignment made it the strongest composition of the series.

Avoid shots where the wings overlap or blend into background elements. A clean separation between the bird and its surroundings helps it to visually pop off of the background. I often select images where the bird is positioned between background elements, eliminating any feeling that the background and bird are disrupting or competing with each other.

Imagine the shot above, but with a nearby reed crossing right behind the bird – yikes!

In short, the wing position should integrate seamlessly into the composition, ensuring the bird and background complement each other rather than compete for attention.

The Wing Positions You May Want To Avoid

Not every wing position is going to work for every photo. In fact, one that’s almost universally discouraged is the dreaded “pancake” shot. 

Most of the time I’m not a fan of the “full pancake” pose either. In this position, only the edges of the wings are visible, leaving little feather detail to create visual interest. It’s not that you should always greet “pancakes” with the delete key upon import (I have a few I like), but they are probably the least likely to survive a critical edit. 

In the “pancake” position (the two shots above), you just don’t see much of the wing. It’s not that it never works; it’s just not my favorite (For instance, although I’m not a fan of that little blue heron shot above, I kinda like the lower shot of the egret).

I also avoid shots where the wing obscures or casts a shadow over the bird’s face and eye. While backlit shots can sometimes create an interesting silhouette effect – revealing the outline of the head and neck – these instances are rare. Most of the time, these images end up tagged with a reject flag.

This is the kind of image that’s usually greeted by the delete key – note the shadow right over the eye. I’d get rid of it just as quickly if the wing itself was blocking the eye.  

I also tend to skip photos where the wing position isn’t flattering – such as poses that appear awkward or unnatural. Mid-stroke positions can sometimes look unbalanced, making the bird seem out of sync. (Unless it’s so awkward it’s funny, there are exceptions to every rule).

Conclusion And Advice

The bottom line here is that although we live in a photographic world where people want a quick, easy answer to questions of wing position (like “the best pose is always wings up”) there are dozens of factors that come into play. 

Also, keep in mind wing position alone isn’t enough to base a life or death decision on for the file. What works in one shot may not work in another, and great images exist with wings in every conceivable position. The challenge is prying the best one out from a strong set of photos. 

When faced with that scenario, I start with the guidelines we’ve discussed, but I also give my “gut instinct” a fair portion of the decision.

Also, remember that these are YOUR shots and if you displayed a given sequence of shots to 100 people, you’ll inevitably discover a wide divergence of opinion. Everyone has their own style and you should pick the one you like the best without worrying if everyone else would agree.

Finally, remember that there’s no “correct” answer here for the “best” wing position or pose. These are your images and you have to choose the wingbeats that appeal to you, not an arbitrary “ideal” from some BIF article you read on the internet. 😀