Thursday, October 12, 2017
THE endangered kokako was voted Bird of the Year in 2016.
FOREST & Bird’s annual Bird of the Year competition began this week.
The competition asks New Zealanders to vote for their favourite bird in the hopes of raising awareness of the threats they face.
“Our birds are in real trouble. Their habitats are being destroyed and introduced mammalian predators such as stoats, possums, and rats kill their eggs, young, birds, and even adults,” said co-ordinator Kimberley Collins.
“There’s also the threat of climate change, which has the potential to limit their habitat range, increase pest numbers and, in some cases, reduce their ability to forage for food.”
This year, the conservation status of each bird has been added to the competition’s website. This will educate New Zealanders on just how many native birds are threatened.
“I think a lot of people will be surprised to see how many of our native birds are at risk. Tragically, a third are in danger of becoming extinct,” she said.
Bird of the Year is one of Forest & Bird’s most popular annual events and attracts over 20,000 votes each year.
Last year’s winner was the kokako, which flew into first place with 3614 votes.
Voting begins at 9am on Monday, October 17 and closes at 5pm on Monday, October 23. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, October 24.
Follow the competition at www.birdoftheyear.org.nz.
