New Zealand’s fastest bird, the threatened kārearea falcon, has been named bird of the year in a scandal-free edition of the country’s much-loved annual poll.
Capable of reaching speeds of up to 200km/h when diving for prey, the kārearea is New Zealand’s only endemic falcon and a vital part of the ecosystem. With just 5,000–8,000 left in the wild, the small tawny raptor faces threats from habitat loss, introduced predators, and collisions with power lines and nets.
“The kārearea is just a stunning bird,” said Emma Blackburn, chair of the Karearea Falcon Trust. “It’s our only remaining endemic raptor and a really important part of our ecosystem.”
This year’s competition, run by conservation group Forest and Bird, drew more than 75,000 verified votes from 123 countries. Unlike previous years – which saw Russian interference, Australian vote-rigging, and even a bat declared the winner – the 2025 poll passed without controversy.
The kārearea, which also won in 2012, joins the hoiho and the kākāpō as the only birds to have claimed the title twice. The cheeky alpine kea came second, and the tiny black robin, the karure, placed third.
Behind the humour and social media campaigns that accompany the contest lies a stark reality. “This year’s top 10 matches the statistics exactly – 80% of them are in trouble,” said Nicola Toki, Forest and Bird’s chief executive. “Climate change, habitat loss and predators are pushing species towards extinction. People fall in love with these birds – and once they know their stories, they care, they advocate and they act.”
