Concerning the low accuracy of classical face recognition algorithm，a face image recognition method based on the nonsubsampled Contourlet transform (NSCT) and bionic pattern is proposed. A face image is decomposed with NSCT and the decomposed coefficients are converted into energy features, then the face image is recognized by using the bionic pattern recognition algorithm. The UMIST，Yale and ORL face databases are used in the simulation experiment and two schemes- non- rejection and rejection are designed for the experiment. The experimental results show that compared with classical methods, the face image recognition method based on the NSCT and bionic pattern is superior to others, and the scheme of rejection shows a better comprehensive performance.