"The birds there make Rotorua a unique place. It's really unusual to find those gull species so far inland.
'"It's species like these, and our North island dabchick population, that really set Rotorua apart from other areas."
She said that at the same meeting it was discovered that not many people in the district is also home to "quite a substantial" kaka population.
"Some people simply don't know what local treasures we have."
Alongside a voting box, a display of Rotorua's native birds has been put up in the Rotorua Library for the public to view.
"There has been a lot of interest in the display; it's an issue that everyone has an opinion on," said library director Jane Gilbert.
"We welcome the initiative to reach out to the public and think hosting the display is a great way for the library to partner with the community to talk about issues that they care about."
Forest & Bird has previously run bird polls, but these were often produced with a national focus. This is the department's first poll focused on Rotorua species.
The online survey also provides an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on the department's work around native bird species.
"We are really interested to understand how the public perceive our unique birdlife and we're looking forward to seeing the results," Mrs Abbott said.
"The results of the survey may indicate that there is substantial community interest around a particular species and a conservation project could be initiated."
The results of the poll will be announced during Conservation Week 2015, which runs from November 1 to November 8.