New Zealand’s fastest bird, the threatened kārearea falcon, has soared to victory in this year’s Bird of the Year competition, taking the crown for a second time after its first win in 2012.
Capable of reaching speeds of 200km/h in pursuit of prey, the kārearea is the country’s only endemic falcon and one of its most formidable aerial hunters. With tawny plumage, powerful talons and sharp dark eyes, it preys on birds, lizards, and small mammals – sometimes larger than itself.
Only 5,000 to 8,000 remain in the wild, according to the Department of Conservation. Nesting on the ground makes them especially vulnerable to introduced predators such as cats, stoats and hedgehogs, while habitat loss, power lines and vineyard nets also threaten their survival.
Emma Blackburn, chair of the Karearea Falcon Trust, welcomed the result: “The kārearea is just a stunning bird. It’s our only remaining endemic raptor and a really important part of our ecosystem.”
This year’s poll, organised by Forest and Bird, was free of the controversies that have coloured previous editions, which have included Russian vote-rigging claims, Australian meddling, and even a bat taking the title. Still, the 2025 vote drew more than 75,000 verified ballots from 123 countries, with each of the 73 contenders running their own campaigns.
The mischievous alpine kea came second, while the tiny karure black robin of the Chatham Islands placed third.
Forest and Bird’s chief executive, Nicola Toki, said the competition highlights the urgent plight of native species: “This year’s top 10 matches the statistics exactly – 80% of them are in trouble. Behind the memes and mayhem is a serious message: climate change, habitat loss and predators are pushing our birds towards extinction. People fall in love with these birds – and once they know their stories, they care, they advocate and they act.”
