Endangered Kārearea Crowned New Zealand's Bird of the Year 2025

The Kārearea Crowned New Zealand's Bird of the Year 2025

The **kārearea**, New Zealand's only falcon and fastest bird, has been crowned the **Bird of the Year 2025**. This year's competition, organized by **Forest & Bird**, saw record engagement with over 75,000 voters from 123 countries participating.

A High-Speed Hunter and Cultural Icon

Known in te reo Māori as the kārearea, this formidable raptor is capable of diving at speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 miles per hour). This makes it an adept hunter in New Zealand's diverse landscapes. Beyond its hunting prowess, the **kārearea** holds cultural significance, symbolizing strength and guardianship in Māori culture. Its victory ensures that this cultural icon will soon receive a brand-new waiata (song) dedicated to its name, continuing the tradition of linking nature with art.

The Bird of the Year Competition: More Than Just a Poll

The Bird of the Year competition, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, has evolved from a simple email poll to a hotly contested cultural moment in **Aotearoa (New Zealand)**. Each of the 73 bird species nominated had volunteer campaign managers, who passionately advocated for their chosen candidate through memes, posters, reels, and even elaborate dance routines. This year also marked the launch of **Birdle NZ**, a Wordle-inspired online puzzle game.

"Bird of the Year has grown from a simple email poll in 2005 to a hotly contested cultural moment for Aotearoa," said Nicola Toki, chief executive of **Forest & Bird**. "Behind the memes and mayhem is a serious message."

The Challenges Facing the Kārearea

Despite its triumph in the popular vote, the **kārearea** faces real challenges in the wild. Current population estimates put numbers between 5,000 and 8,000 individuals. The biggest threats include habitat destruction due to deforestation, predation of eggs and chicks by invasive species, and collisions with vehicles and power lines. Conservationists stress that increased public awareness, mobilized by contests like Bird of the Year, plays a crucial role in protecting these rare raptors.

• Habitat Loss: Deforestation and land conversion for farming and urban expansion.
• Predation: Invasive species like stoats, cats, and hedgehogs predate on eggs and chicks.
• Human Impact: Collisions with vehicles and power lines, electrocution from power infrastructure.

Other Notable Contenders

While the **kārearea** was crowned champion, other birds also gained strong public backing. The clever and cheeky **kea** came in second place with 12,506 votes, while the endangered **karure (black robin)** secured third place with 11,726 votes. The charismatic but critically endangered **kākāpō**, often called the world’s fattest parrot, followed in fourth place. Other notable contenders included the takahē, once thought to be extinct, and the ruru (morepork), a native owl.

A Serious Message Behind the Fun

Although the competition often sparks light-hearted campaigns, conservationists emphasize that its real aim is serious: raising awareness of New Zealand’s biodiversity crisis. Nicola Toki pointed out that eight out of the top 10 birds this year are in trouble, either endangered or at risk. Past controversies, such as the crowning of a bat in 2021 and the involvement of comedian John Oliver in 2023, have also drawn international media coverage, amplifying the conservation message.

Looking Ahead

By winning the 2025 title, the **kārearea** gains a platform to feature in education programmes, conservation campaigns, and cultural initiatives. The success of New Zealand's Bird of the Year has even inspired similar initiatives overseas, such as Australia's own Bird of the Year poll. The competition remains a vital tool to remind citizens and the world that conservation is urgent, biodiversity is fragile, and action is needed now.