Overview

• The online poll opened Tuesday and closes on 9 October at 11:00, with Nabu and LBV set to announce the winner the same day.
• Voters choose among Amsel (blackbird), Rebhuhn (partridge), Schleiereule (barn owl), Waldohreule (long‑eared owl) and Zwergtaucher (little grebe).
• The campaign has run for more than 50 years, with the public voting since 2021 from a shortlist curated by Nabu and LBV.
• Last year drew a record participation of over 143,000 votes, and the Hausrotschwanz (common redstart) won.
• Each candidate embodies a conservation theme, including disease risk from the Usutu virus, losses from agricultural monocultures, shrinking nest sites and rodenticide exposure, forest habitat needs, and reliance on clean natural waters.