Bird of the Year

2022 - 10 - 17

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Fat parrot ineligible for 'Bird of the Year' because it keeps winning (The Washington Post)

The reason came down to its overshadowing cuteness — the kākāpō has already won New Zealand's annual competition twice.

The winner becomes “the ultimate bird influencer” and will inspire a line of merchandise, Rykers said. The spatula-shaped feature allows it to hunt for crabs and other crustaceans in shallow waters. (It also has a bit of a crest on its head.) The hākoakoa, or subantarctic skua, is the bird equivalent of a pirate, Rykers said. For instance, the tūturuatu, or shore plover, is known for its love of dramatics — often fluttering its wings or pretending to cry to save its babies from a predator. The tākapu, or Australasian gannet, has nostrils in its mouth and eyes that can change shapes. However, in 2007, someone recorded a bird call that was remarkably similar to the kōkako’s. Take the kererū: a pigeon with iridescent feathers and a mad obsession for berries. In the past 17 years, though, it has turned into a full-blown electoral race — with people signing up as campaign managers for each bird and masterminding creative ways to get votes. The first step toward fairness, for better or for worse, was barring the kākāpō. “The kākāpō has already won twice,” Rykers told The Washington Post. Anyone around the world is able to participate by casting online votes for their top five birds.

Bird of the Year returns - but who's been excluded from competing? (Newstalk ZB)

Last year, controversy also followed the event when the ultimate winner ended up being a pekapeka-tou-roa, or long-tailed bat. There were no bats included this ...

It was awesome to see New Zealanders really get behind the pekapeka and elect it as our champion." "Some of these species were in even worse positions before. "We've come up with a list of 21 what we're calling 'underbirds'. We want to sign the spotlight on some other potential celebrity birds." "We always like to shake things up, so who knows what will happen in future competitions. Last year, controversy also followed the event when the ultimate winner ended up being a pekapeka-tou-roa, or long-tailed bat.

Clever Clogs Quiz: Bird of the Year 2022 (Stuff.co.nz)

It's time to vote for Bird of the Year again, but how much do you really know about Aotearoa's native birds? Sharpen your knowledge with our quiz, ...

Just hit that support button like it’s a buzzer on a game show. If Stuff's quizzes are a regular part of your day, please become a supporter. *

Bird of the year: The kākāpō has been banned from the competition ... (BBC News)

Competition bosses say there's no "fowl-play" but they're worried the parrot could continue flying high over other entries in the competition. The Wrybill is ...

Let us know in the comments! But Forest & Bird said: "These flying furballs are threatened by the same problems as our native birds - predators, habitat loss and climate change. It's not the first time the bird of the year contest has been in the spotlight.

World's fattest parrot banned from 'woke' bird of the year contest (Telegraph.co.uk)

Anger as twice-winning kakapo endorsed by Sir David Attenborough is barred from competing in New Zealand competition.

Anything which gets the public engaging with conservation is a good thing." "We know how much people love the kakapo. "There is a lot of publicity from winning bird of the year. "Bird of the Year is so woke", said Martyn Bradbury, suggesting the kakapo had been "cancelled" and the contest had become a "participation award" for ugly birds. A kakapo expert from New Zealand's Department of Conservation said it was important to allow other species to compete for the Bird of the Year title. New Zealand's Bird of the Year contest has provoked a number of controversies over the years.

New Zealand: Fat parrot banned from 'bird of the year' competition (Metro)

The kākāpō has been banned from entering the contest run by Forest and Bird, to the outrage of many New Zealanders.

It lives until around 90 years old and may also have the longest life expectancy of all birds globally. And New Zealand’s annual ‘bird of the year’ competition is no exception. It’s a hiatus. Last year there was outrage after a bat was allowed to enter as ‘bird of the year’ for a surprise entry – and it won by a long way. One particular bird – and a national favourite – has been suspiciously absent from this year’s nominees, to the outrage of many. [chess](https://metro.co.uk/2022/10/05/chess-grandmaster-accused-of-anal-bead-tactic-cheated-over-100-times-17508215/), to [conkers](https://metro.co.uk/2022/10/11/conker-world-denies-anal-beads-were-used-in-world-championships-17541287/), to [fishing](https://metro.co.uk/2022/10/03/ohio-world-of-angling-rocked-by-cheating-scandal-after-fish-stuffed-with-weights-17492383/) – it appears no contest these days is safe from accusations of cheating and being shrouded in controversy.

New Zealand bans world's fattest parrot from avian beauty contest (Daily Sabah)

The world's fattest parrot can't fly, and now it can't run either as it was banned from New Zealand's always-controversial Bird of the...

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