It's a busy time of the year for our native birdlife. Tūī are madly chasing each other around suburban backyards, kererū are hungrily feasting on anything that sprouts leaves or flowers, and migratory birds like the godwit are returning to estuaries.
With so much birdlife on display, you'd be forgivenfor thinking that our native birds are thriving. But the reality is quite the opposite.
You may not know this, but 80% of our birds are threatened or at risk of extinction. The places they live are being destroyed and introduced predators like stoats, rats, and possums prey on eggs, young birds and adults.
To spread the word about our native birds, Forest & Bird is running its annual Bird of the Year competition. Kicking off this week, it's a chance to raise awareness of our much loved native birds and the threats they face.
Last year's winner, the bar-tailed godwit, was a bit of an "under-bird", but this year could be any bird's game.
A number of well-known and passionate New Zealanders have come on board as 'campaign managers' for their favourite birds, with some planning to go to great lengths to get their bird in the lead.
One of the youngest campaign managers is an Auckland local, 16 year old Oscar Thomas, who developed a fascination with the Kokakō after spotting one at Tiritiri Matangi. He plans to do 'everything necessary' to get his beloved and rare bird in the top spot.
If you are inspired to help our native birds, there are some simple things you can do:
