As Bird of the Year heats up, 1 NEWS asked the campaign managers why their bird deserves the crown and which New Zealand celebrity their bird resembles.
Click here to see Part 1 of 1 NEWS' Bird of the Year story.
Tāiko - Westland Petrel (Campaign Manager: Ischtar Toomey)
• Why should your bird be Bird of the Year?
NZ is the seabird capital of the world, but a seabird has never won bird of the year! I believe the Westland Petrel deserves to be recognised for holding its own as the largest burrowing seabird still breeding on the mainland, surviving against the barrage of invasive predators, with very little conservation intervention or public awareness about the species.
• What does your bird have that sets it apart from the rest?
Like a true Coaster, the Westland Petrel has a nocturnal lifestyle and a loud, bolshy character. This rambunctious bird comes equipped with an impressive one-metre wingspan. Coming to land under the cover of darkness and departing before dawn, it’s really no wonder the species has been largely overlooked - It wasn’t even discovered by science until 1945! During winter dedicated Westland Petrel parents take turns between guarding their single chick in a deep burrow (dug by claw!) and feeding at sea on bio-luminescent fish and squid. The remainder of the year they are ocean voyagers, regularly sighted as far away as South America.
• If your bird were a well-known New Zealander, who would they be?
Due to their incredible navigation skills I would liken the Westland Petrel to Tupaia (Captain Cook’s navigator).
Pohowera - Banded Dotterel (Campaign Manager: George Hobson)
• Why should your bird be Bird of the Year?
It is by far the cutest bird in the competition! Their chicks are practically fluff balls on legs. They're super vulnerable to predators and 4x4s, as they nest on the ground - their population is declining at an alarming rate. Banded Dotterels should be Bird Of The Year to raise public awareness of them and to increase conservation efforts on their behalf as they so desperately need it.
• What does your bird have that sets it apart from the rest?
Speed-enhancing racing stripes!
• If your bird were a well-known New Zealander, who would they be?
Dai Henwood! They're both small and fuzzy with huge, charismatic personalities.
Miromiro - Tomtit (Campaign Manager: Michael McMillan)
• Why should your bird be Bird of the Year?
The tomtit is a representation of the people of Aotearoa. It can be found from Northland to Stewart Island. While also popping up on several offshore islands, such as Little Barrier, Kāpiti, the Chathams, Snares, and Auckland Islands. Each subspecies is a little bit different, some clearly better looking. But all are bound by a common thread; a keen eye and erratic twitching movements.
• What does your bird have that sets it apart from the rest?
The species name of the tomtit is ‘macrocephala’, this translate to big head. This is a tiny bird with a bloody big head. Other candidates might claim ‘thiccness’ and ‘spherical form’, but factor that in with their tiny, ping pong ball sized heads for a chicken-size bird, underwhelming.
• If your bird were a well-known New Zealander, who would they be?
Damian McKenzie. Super cute, nips all over the show, eating bugs and smiling at nothing in particular.
Ruru - Morepork (Campaign Managers: Roald Bomans and Marty Jones)
- Why should your bird be Bird of the Year?
Being more widespread and well-known for its distinctive call, the ruru is a humble NZ bird that we all know and love. However, as it is nocturnal it often goes under the radar and deserves a bit more appreciation.
- What does your bird have that sets it apart from the rest?
It is our only remaining native owl and, being so, it represents all of the night owls of NZ.
- If your bird were a well-known New Zealander, who would they be?
Sir Peter Jackson - Ruru are a big fan of wētā!
Rowi - Okarito brown kiwi (Campaign Manager: Michael Burton-Smith)
• Why should your bird be Bird of the Year?
Before human settlement, the rowi roamed lowland New Zealand as far north as Hawke’s Bay and right across the northern South Island. Today, nearly all of the 450 birds left live in one small forest near Okarito on the West Coast. One factor stood in the way of rowi and extinction: their longevity. These birds can live to a whopping 80 years old, and it was this long lifespan which kept just enough birds alive for them to be saved. Even though a rowi call (which is frequently likened to a screaming woman running through the bush) can be heard from over a kilometre away, we still aren't hearing their voices.
• What does your bird have that sets it apart from the rest?
Baby rowi in care at the West Coast Wildlife Centre are known for being relaxed, but when they get out in the wild they know just what to do. This inbuilt instinct is derived from the fact that chicks walk out of the nest after just a few days! Rowi females are much larger than the males, and although they have the less musical voices, they certainly wear the pants in the relationship! They're aggressive and put on a good wriggle when being held. Even when it comes to incubating the egg, she makes the male do the day shift while they take turns at night.
• If your bird were a well-known New Zealander, who would they be?
Jacinda Ardern all the way! With their strong, independent women, hard-working attitudes and personality which can capture a nation, the rowi captures the essence of the Prime Minister in all her glory. Maybe they could learn from the PM how to look after their kids a bit better too, but hey, nobody's perfect!
Pūweto - Spotless Crake (Campaign Manager: Melanie Dixon from the National Wetland Trust)
• Why should your bird be Bird of the Year?
Because wetlands. They are our most endangered ecosystem. Pūweto are one of the many birds that depend on wetlands. If we look after wetlands their numbers increase so they are a great indicator species
• What does your bird have that sets it apart from the rest?
Extreme cuteness. It's half the size of a blackbird with bright red eyes.
• If your bird were a well-known New Zealander, who would they be?
Not anyone. But they'd be a good sort.
Matuku Moana - White Faced Heron – (Campaign Manager: Derek Tearne)
• Why should your bird be Bird of the Year?
My bird is endearing, lovable, and joyful. It is also not well known. Being Bird of the Year would raise awareness for the best bird that most people don’t even know we have.
• What does your bird have that sets it apart from the rest?
The pōpokatea is one of our most joyful birds, a bird which can lift the spirits of anyone who encounters a chittering flock of whiteheads. No other bird can spread as much joy. My bird is also a prolific breeder, in the absence of introduced pests and predators. This bird is the one which will invade everyone’s back gardens first, as areas are made predator free as part of PF2050. This bird will be the big surprise, the joyful surprise, that everyone will experience.
• If your bird were a well-known New Zealander, who would they be?
Suzanne Paul.
Click here to see Part 1 of 1 NEWS' Bird of the Year story.
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