Endangered Falcon Soars to Victory in New Zealand's Beloved Annual Contest

In a victory for conservation efforts, New Zealand's threatened kārearea falcon has been named the 2025 Bird of the Year. The kārearea, the country's only remaining endemic raptor, is a small but powerful bird capable of reaching speeds of up to 200km/h in pursuit of its prey.

The annual Bird of the Year competition, run by the conservation group Forest and Bird, aims to raise awareness about the plight of New Zealand's native birds, many of which are endangered or on the brink of extinction. This year's contest attracted over 75,000 verified votes from 123 countries, with the kārearea emerging victorious for the second time, having also won in 2012.

The kārearea faces numerous threats, including predation by introduced mammals such as cats, hedgehogs, and stoats, which feast on the bird's ground-dwelling eggs. Habitat loss through deforestation and the conversion of grasslands into pasture has also likely contributed to declining populations, which are estimated to be between 5,000 and 8,000 individuals.

Despite the challenges, the kārearea remains a beloved symbol of New Zealand's natural heritage. "The kārearea is just a stunning bird," said Emma Blackburn, the chair of the Karearea Falcon Trust. "It's our only remaining endemic raptor and a really important part of our ecosystem."