New Zealand’s fastest bird, the kārearea falcon, has soared to victory in the 2025 Bird of the Year competition – a rare scandal-free edition of the poll known for past controversies.
The kārearea, capable of reaching speeds of 200km/h while hunting, is the country’s only native falcon and a vital part of the ecosystem. With only 5,000–8,000 remaining, the species is classed as threatened, facing dangers from predators such as cats and stoats, habitat loss, and collisions with power lines and buildings.
“The kārearea is just a stunning bird,” said Emma Blackburn, chair of the Kārearea Falcon Trust. “It’s our only remaining endemic raptor and a really important part of our ecosystem.”
Run by conservation group Forest and Bird, the two-week competition drew more than 75,000 verified votes from 123 countries. This year’s campaign crowned the kārearea as a two-time winner, following its first victory in 2012. The cheeky alpine kea came second, while the karure – a rare black robin from the Chatham Islands – placed third.
Since launching 20 years ago, the contest has aimed to raise awareness of New Zealand’s native birds, many of which are endangered. Past editions have sparked headlines – from accusations of overseas vote-rigging to the surprise victory of a bat in 2021.
Forest and Bird chief executive Nicola Toki said this year’s results highlight the peril many species face: “Behind the memes and mayhem is a serious message. Eighty percent of the top 10 are in trouble. 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.”
