Overview

• More than 75,000 people from 123 countries voted, with the New Zealand falcon receiving over 14,300 votes.
• The kea placed second, the karure/Chatham snipe third, and the kākāpō fourth, and Forest & Bird notes that most of the top ten species are threatened.
• The announcement caps the 20th edition of the public vote, which the group has run since 2005 to focus attention on conservation.
• The karearea is considered at risk due to habitat loss and introduced predators, with an estimated population of 5,000 to 8,000 birds.
• The contest has grown into a cultural phenomenon featuring creative campaigns, memes, costumes, and extensive online engagement.