Standfirst: New Zealand’s critically endangered black robin has been named Bird of the Year after receiving more than 26,000 votes. The result highlights a remarkable conservation recovery and renewed efforts to create a third habitat for the species.
The black robin, one of the world’s rarest birds, has been chosen as New Zealand’s Bird of the Year in a competition that attracted a record 105,000 participants. The species received more than 26,000 votes, finishing ahead of the kākāpō and the kārearea falcon.
Native to the remote Chatham Islands, around 800 kilometres east of New Zealand’s South Island, the black robin is classified as critically endangered. Its victory has drawn attention to both the species’ recovery and the continuing need to protect its limited habitat.
A dramatic recovery from five surviving birds
The black robin’s conservation story is considered one of New Zealand’s notable wildlife successes. In 1980, only five birds remained, including a single breeding female. Conservation work has since helped the population recover to approximately 350.
That recovery has not removed the species’ risks. With the entire known population restricted to the Chatham Islands, disease, habitat changes, severe weather and other threats could have serious consequences.
The campaign supporting the black robin is now seeking to establish a third habitat. Expanding the number of locations where the birds can live could help reduce the danger posed by relying on a small number of sites.
Record participation in New Zealand’s bird competition
The annual vote is organised by conservation group Forest & Bird. It began in 2005 as a simple email poll but has developed into a high-profile public campaign involving social media, creative publicity and organised efforts to promote individual species.
Organisers said a record one in every 50 New Zealanders took part this year. The competition is intended to raise awareness of native birds and the pressures facing them, rather than serve as a scientific ranking of conservation importance.
The final result was:
- Black robin: more than 26,000 votes
- Kākāpō: second place
- Kārearea falcon: third place
The strong turnout demonstrates how public campaigns can bring conservation issues to a wider audience. Greater visibility can support fundraising, volunteer participation and political attention, although long-term species protection still depends on sustained habitat management and scientific monitoring.
The black robin is not the European robin
Despite sharing the word “robin” in its name, the black robin is not closely related to the familiar European robin found across Britain and much of Europe.
The two species also have very different appearances. Adult black robins are almost entirely black, while European robins are recognisable by their brown bodies and orange-red breasts.
The black robin belongs to the Australasian robin family and is found only on the Chatham Islands. The European robin belongs to the Old World flycatcher family. Their shared common name reflects appearance and naming traditions rather than a close evolutionary relationship.
A competition with an international following
New Zealand’s Bird of the Year vote has previously attracted controversy and overseas attention. In 2019, hundreds of votes were recorded from internet addresses in Russia, prompting allegations of interference. Organisers concluded that most of the votes came from genuine bird supporters and said they did not change the result, which was won by the hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin.
The hoiho later won again in 2024. In 2023, the pūteketeke, also known as the Australasian crested grebe, gained international support after comedian John Oliver encouraged viewers of his programme to vote for it.
Those episodes helped turn the contest into a global online event while keeping attention focused on New Zealand’s native wildlife.
Why the result matters for conservation
The black robin’s win is symbolic, but it also points to practical conservation priorities. A population of around 350 is a major improvement from the five birds recorded in 1980, yet it remains vulnerable because the species has a restricted range and a small total population.
Creating a third habitat could provide several benefits:
- Reducing reliance on existing locations
- Spreading the risk from disease, storms or local environmental changes
- Supporting future population growth
- Increasing the resilience of the species over time
The proposal remains an ongoing conservation objective rather than a completed project. Its success would depend on suitable habitat, careful planning and continued monitoring of the birds.
What happens next?
Following the public vote, conservation campaigners will continue working to protect the black robin and explore options for expanding its habitat. The immediate significance of the result is its ability to place a little-known species in front of a national and international audience.
The broader lesson is that conservation recovery can be possible even after a population reaches an extremely dangerous level. However, recovery does not mean the threat has disappeared. For the black robin, long-term protection will depend on maintaining existing conservation efforts and creating greater security for future generations.
The black robin’s selection as New Zealand’s Bird of the Year therefore combines public celebration with a reminder of the work still ahead: protecting a species that survived near extinction will require continued action, not just a successful vote.
