Wellington: The kārearea, New Zealand’s only falcon and fastest bird, has soared to victory in the country’s annual Bird of the Year competition. Capable of flying at speeds up to 200 km/h, the small tawny raptor is renowned for its aerial hunting prowess, powerful talons, and keen dark eyes.
With an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 birds left in the wild, the kārearea remains under threat. The falcon nests on the ground, leaving its eggs vulnerable to predation by introduced mammals such as cats, hedgehogs, and stoats.
Habitat loss from logging and the conversion of grasslands into farmland has also reduced populations, while collisions with power lines and nets pose additional risks.
“The kārearea is just a stunning bird. It’s our only remaining endemic raptor and an essential part of our ecosystem,” said Emma Blackburn, chair of the Kārearea Falcon Trust.
🥁 Drumroll please… the 2025 Bird of the Year is the kārearea! 👑
The New Zealand falcon has swooped in to claim the crown – again. Fast, fierce, and utterly fearless, kārearea can dive at over 200 km/h and snatch prey mid-air. No wonder they’ve charmed voters a second time.… pic.twitter.com/oyZoBrZj9g
— Forest & Bird (@Forest_and_Bird) September 28, 2025
The Bird of the Year contest, organised by conservation group Forest and Bird, marked its 20th year without controversy. This year, more than 75,000 verified votes were cast from 123 countries, with New Zealanders and international supporters campaigning for their favourites among 73 contenders. Each species had its own campaign manager, turning the event into a lively, nationwide conversation about conservation.
The kārearea, which also won in 2012, now joins the hoiho and the kākāpō as the only birds to take the crown twice. The kea, New Zealand’s mischievous alpine parrot, placed second, while the tiny black robin of the Chatham Islands, the karure, secured third.
“Behind the memes and mayhem is a serious message. This year’s top 10 matches the statistics exactly 80% of them are in trouble. Climate change, habitat loss, and predators are pushing species towards extinction,” said Forest and Bird chief executive Nicola Toki. She added that, “People fall in love with these birds – and once they know their stories, they care, they advocate and they act.”
