The kārearea – New Zealand’s only falcon and fastest bird, capable of diving at speeds of 200km/h – has been crowned the country’s Bird of the Year in 2025.
A small tawny raptor with piercing eyes and razor talons, the kārearea is a powerful aerial hunter, preying on birds, lizards and even mammals larger than itself. With an estimated population of just 5,000 to 8,000, the species is classified as threatened, its numbers pressured by habitat loss, collisions with power lines, and predation from introduced species such as stoats, cats and hedgehogs.
“The kārearea is just a stunning bird,” said Emma Blackburn, chair of the Kārearea Falcon Trust. “It’s our only remaining endemic raptor and a really important part of our ecosystem.”
The win marks the second time the falcon has topped Forest and Bird’s beloved competition, having first taken the crown in 2012. This year’s two-week vote drew more than 75,000 verified ballots from 123 countries. The kea, New Zealand’s mischievous alpine parrot, placed second, while the rare black robin (karure) from the Chatham Islands came third.
Unlike previous editions – which have seen everything from Russian interference to John Oliver’s global campaign for the pūteketeke – this year’s contest was free from scandal. But campaign fervour was still evident, with all 73 candidates backed by their own enthusiastic managers.
Nicola Toki, Forest and Bird’s chief executive, said the competition continues to shine a light on the urgent need for conservation. “This year’s top 10 matches the statistics exactly – 80% of them are in trouble,” she said. “People fall in love with these birds – and once they know their stories, they care, they advocate and they act.”
The kārearea now joins the kākāpō and last year’s winner, the hoiho, as one of the few species to have claimed the title twice.
