In the “Bird of the Year” competition held in New Zealand on Monday, September 16, the unique Yellow-eyed penguin emerged as the winner. This marks the second time this endangered species has clinched the top spot in this annual selection, following its victory in 2019.
The highly popular “Bird of the Year” competition in New Zealand, organized by the environmental group “Forest & Bird,” aims to raise awareness and promote the conservation of native bird species in New Zealand. Every year, the organization selects dozens of New Zealand bird species as candidates, providing information such as their pictures, habits, and conservation statuses on the voting page for the public to vote.
This year’s voting activity began on September 2 and lasted for two weeks, attracting participation from numerous bird enthusiasts in New Zealand and abroad, garnering over 52,000 valid votes.
After intense competition, the Yellow-eyed penguin (known as hoiho in Māori language) stood out among 74 candidate birds with an impressive 6328 votes, securing the championship. The initially leading Chatham Island robin (Karure in Māori, also known as Black Robin) ultimately came in second with 5442 votes, and the world’s heaviest and longest-living parrot species, the Kākāpō, secured the third position with 4548 votes.
It is worth noting that this is the Yellow-eyed penguin’s second time winning the title of “Bird of the Year,” having become the first seabird to receive this honor back in 2019.
During the selection process, the Yellow-eyed penguin received support from several celebrities, including British primatologist Jane Goodall, former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, and New Zealand Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins.
Moreover, the Māori people in Dunedin, South Island of New Zealand, also rallied behind the Yellow-eyed penguin in the voting campaign, with supporters including the Highlanders rugby team and Emerson’s Brewery.
As the name suggests, the Yellow-eyed penguin is named for its light yellow eyes and head, being the only solitary penguin species in the world. Their sharp and piercing calls earned them the Māori name “hoiho,” meaning “noisy.” They prefer habitats in pristine forests, shrubs, and dense flax plants.
Forest & Bird organization stated that this seabird is considered one of the rarest penguin species globally, mainly found on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Stewart Island, the Auckland Islands, and Campbell Island.
It is estimated that there are currently only about 4000 Yellow-eyed penguins worldwide, with approximately 131 pairs remaining in New Zealand, and the numbers are rapidly declining.
Ellen Rykers, representing the competition organizers, mentioned that this endangered bird species is the largest land-based penguin species in New Zealand, with the population decreasing by 78% over the last 15 years and an 18% decline in just the past year.
Nicola Toki, the Chief Executive Officer of Forest & Bird, emphasized that the Yellow-eyed penguin’s victory “comes at the right time” this year, as the species faces multiple threats, including devastating diseases and attacks from cats, dogs, ferrets, stoats, and other predators. Additionally, these penguins encounter significant challenges while foraging in the ocean, often getting entangled in fishing nets.
Toki called for the establishment of more marine protected areas as crucial to saving this iconic penguin species.
Animal conservationists point out that the Yellow-eyed penguin’s win not only acknowledges the species but also underscores the urgency of ecological conservation in New Zealand. This voting event serves as a reminder to society that protecting native species requires collective efforts from all.