<h5>A New Champion</h5><p>New Zealand has chosen its Bird of the Year, and the winner is the Kārearea, also called the New Zealand falcon. More than 75,000 people voted this year, and the falcon got the most votes. This is not its first win—it also became Bird of the Year back in 2012.</p><p>The contest is not only for fun. It also reminds people to take care of New Zealand’s special birds.</p><h5>About the Kārearea</h5><p>The Kārearea is a bird of prey, which means it hunts other animals for food. It has sharp claws and a hooked beak to catch small birds and rabbits. When it dives to hunt, it can reach a speed of about 200 km/h. That is faster than many cars!</p><p>In this species, females are bigger than males. This is unusual for birds. The Kārearea is found only in New Zealand, so it is very rare and important.</p><h5>How the Contest Works</h5><p>The Bird of the Year contest is held every year by a group called Forest &amp; Bird. People all over the world vote online for their favourite New Zealand birds. Each person can pick up to five birds, and the one with the most votes wins.</p><p>In 2024, the winner was the Hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin). In 2020, the winner was the Kākāpō (a flightless parrot). The contest is fun and colourful. People make posters, memes, and even wear costumes. But the main goal is to make people care about birds.</p><h5>A Species in Trouble</h5><p>Even though the Kārearea is strong, it is in danger. Only about 5,000–8,000 are left in the wild. Some die when they sit on power poles and touch wires. Their nests on the ground are attacked by cats, rats, and stoats, which were brought to New Zealand by humans. Cutting down forests and past hunting also hurt their numbers.</p><h5>The Bigger Picture</h5><p>The Bird of the Year contest is a way to remind people that even powerful animals need protection. By learning about the Kārearea’s problems, people can help save it.</p><p>Protecting the falcon also means protecting New Zealand’s natural heritage.</p>

The Kārearea, or New Zealand falcon, has been crowned Bird of the Year 2025 after receiving the most votes from over 75,000 people.

Falcon Crowned New Zealand’s Bird of the Year

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Falcon Crowned New Zealand’s Bird of the Year

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