Bird of the Year

by Forest and Bird

A richly illustrated, affectionate celebration of Aotearoa's native birds, and the efforts we all make to protect them.

New Zealanders love their birds. Each year, thousands of us take part in Forest & Bird's campaign to bring awareness to the challenges these feathery friends face and to see who comes out on top as the coveted Bird of the Year.

From rumours of Russian interference to controversial mammalian infiltration, this beautifully illustrated book shares the vibrant history of this beloved event and profiles more than 80 native birds — and one bat. Perfect for avian enthusiasts young and old, it's a delightful blend of education, entertainment, and call to action.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Environment

272 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first section on the history of the competition is very interesting. The section on individual birds is odd... The author has tried to use as many adjectives and te reo Maori words as possible. Often to the detriment of the information. I actually thought the different chapters were written by different people. It tries way to hard to be cool.
I wish each entry had at least one photo to accurately show the birds. Some of the illustrations are amazing but a lot don't show exactly what they look like. I know it's not supposed to be a field guide but i feel it fails at trying to get lay people interested in our passion subject.

[Psyckers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of fantastic stories about the 'Greatest' bird voting competition in New Zealand. Celebrating the 20th anniversary, the book is lovingly mixes campaigning stories with scientific facts of all the birds plight and reasons why they are all contenders for more love and funds for conservation.
The author has done well in show casing some of the lengths people have gone to to campaign for their favourite book. Some campaigns get very political and so do the vote counting with accusations of voter fraud, gaming the system, and favouritism abound.
The illustrations too, from multiple contributors, enhance the narrative that the book compels its reader to know. New Zealand has some of the most unique and interesting bird life in the world, and they are all worth protecting.

[Julie Schooler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I eagerly look forward to the most important elections in the world - yes, of course, I am talking about New Zealand's Bird of the Year competition. So when this book was released it was top of my birthday wishlist. From the 20 year history of BOTY to the interesting facts and stories about the birds and the beautiful illustrations, this book is a worthy companion to the competition. I do have one gripe - that the horrendous pūkeko got a two-page spread over the majestic takahē's one. IT IS AN ABOMINATION THAT THE TAKAHE HAS NOT WON BOTY YET!! Whether you dip in an out or read it cover to cover, this book is a must-have for bird lovers everywhere.

[Julia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful surprise. I presumed this would be a book I would dip in and out of. But, no, I read cover to cover, including all the artists' bios.

Informative and interesting with a beguiling writing style, so that you become invested in every single bird. An astounding achievement, complemented by the stunning illustrations of seventeen artists.

Unfortunately, it has now become an impossible task to choose one favourite . . .

Easily a contender for the Aotearoa Non-Fiction Book of the Year Award.