New Zealand’s fastest bird, the kārearea falcon, has soared to victory in the country’s annual Bird of the Year competition – a rare scandal-free edition of the famously quirky poll.
The kārearea, capable of reaching speeds of 200km/h when diving for prey, is the nation’s only endemic falcon and an important aerial predator in native ecosystems. Small and tawny, with piercing dark eyes and formidable talons, it hunts birds, lizards and small mammals, sometimes even those larger than itself.
With just 5,000–8,000 left in the wild, the species is classed as threatened. Its ground-nesting habits leave eggs and chicks highly vulnerable to introduced predators such as stoats, cats and hedgehogs, while habitat loss and collisions with power lines or netting also endanger populations.
“The kārearea is just a stunning bird … our only remaining endemic raptor and a really important part of our ecosystem,” said Emma Blackburn, chair of the Karearea Falcon Trust.
The competition, run by conservation group Forest & Bird, drew more than 75,000 verified votes from 123 countries. Each of the 73 contenders had their own campaign managers, and while the contest has previously been rocked by controversy – from “Russian interference” in 2019 to John Oliver’s winning global campaign for the pūteketeke in 2023 – this year’s vote was free of drama.
The kārearea, which also won in 2012, now joins the hoiho and the kākāpō as the only birds to have claimed the title twice. The alpine parrot kea placed second, while the tiny black robin, known locally as the karure, came third.
Forest & Bird chief executive Nicola Toki said the competition highlights a sobering reality: “Behind the memes and mayhem is a serious message. This year’s top 10 matches the statistics exactly – 80% of them are in trouble. Climate change, habitat loss and predators are pushing species towards extinction.”
She added: “People fall in love with these birds – and once they know their stories, they care, they advocate and they act.”
