The Bird of the Year competition, organized by Forest and Bird, is celebrating its 100th year by searching for the “Bird of the Century.”
There are 75 bird species in the running, including five that are extinct but have been newly added.
There are 75 bird species up for the title this year, including five extinct but newly added ones – mātuhituhi (bush wren), tutukiwi (South Island snipe), huia, piopio, and whēkau (laughing owl).
Last year’s winner was the pīwauwau (rock wren).
Last year’s winner was the rock wren. Voting will take place from October 30 to November 12, 2023, and the winner will be announced on November 13, 2023.
The competition, which started in a newsletter in 2005, has become a beloved celebration of New Zealand’s native birds.
It has seen its share of unusual moments, including voting scandals and unexpected winners.
