Black Robin Crowned NZ Bird of the Year After Remarkable Recovery
TL;DR
The black robin, once reduced to a single breeding pair and near extinction, has been named New Zealand’s Bird of the Year after a record 105,000 votes. A pioneering conservation program using foster parenting helped its numbers rebound to about 350 adults, all on pest-free Chatham Island reserves, though the species remains threatened and its habitat is nearing capacity, requiring additional pest-free land.
- The black robin, once down to just a single breeding pair, wins NZ bird of the year The Guardian
- New Zealanders pick endangered black robin as Bird of the Year Yahoo
- Black robin bucks shy tag to take Bird of the Year 2026 RNZ
- Birds of a Feather, Let’s Vote Together salient.org.nz
- 'Back the bittern': Councillor urges Bird of Year voters NZ Herald
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on The Guardian