Grapevine cuttings were certainly part of the First Fleet and Sydney had many early vineyards. From 1860, disease wiped out the European vineyards making some vineyards in Australia the oldest in the world.(more…)
It’s a small act with a big impact – your vote matters!
From the unmistakable garble of magpies to the colourful flash of rainbow lorikeets, Australia’s native birds are as vibrant as the country they call home. To spotlight our often-underappreciated Aves, The Guardian and Birdlife Australia have teamed up to bring you the nation’s most charming wildlife competition, and your vote counts.
Australian Bird of the Year explained
Originally launched in 2017 and held every two years since, the Australian Bird of the Year competition is a celebration of our birds, one of the country’s most unique wildlife species. But it also serves a deeper purpose – to highlight the importance of our native bird species and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing environment.
Rainbow lorikeets are one of Australia’s most recognisable birds. (Image: Getty/Matthew Starling)
Australia is home to roughly 850 native bird species. A significant portion of those are also endemic, meaning they cannot be found anywhere else on the planet – mainly due to Australia’s geographical isolation.
The troubling news? Under the government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, 22 native bird species are already completely extinct, with 77 classified as vulnerable, more than any other species on the list. Over 65 are listed as endangered and 18 critically endangered, including some of the competition’s nominees.
The black cockatoo one of 77 species listed as vulnerable. (Image: Getty/Jeremy Edwards)
Take one of the previous Australian Bird of the Year winners. The swift parrot took out top spot in 2023 – and it’s no surprise. The endemic species, usually found in Tasmania, is one of just three migratory parrots on Earth. But it’s also critically endangered, with demographic studies predicting it could be completely extinct as soon as 2031.
Here’s how you can help – and vote!
We still have time to make a difference, and it really doesn’t take much. If you’re in a position to do so, Birdlife Australia accepts donations, which are funnelled into protecting endangered species, restoring habitats, building conservation partnerships and educating the public. Or you can volunteer your spare time to monitor birds, collect data and repair damaged habitats.
Birdlife Australia helps restore habitats for species like the splendid fairywren. (Image: Getty/Outback to Coast)
I get it though, we’re all busy. But just by voting for your favourite Australian Bird of the Year, you’re not only raising awareness, you’re also supporting an organisation that is working hard to save our native birdlife.
Voting is easy, too, and it’s open now! Simply head to The Guardian’s website, scroll through the list of this year’s candidates (which come with their own adorable photo and bio) and click the ‘vote’ button under your favourite.
Can’t pick just one? Yeah, me either. But don’t worry – polling refreshes daily, so you can vote for a different bird every day. At the end of each round, the five species with the fewest votes will be removed from the race, a bittersweet but necessary step to crown a winner.
At the time of writing, 2023’s runner-up, the tawny frogmouth, is in the lead with over 1000 votes. The black cockatoo is close behind, followed by the gang-gang cockatoo and willie wagtail, with the bush stone-curlew rounding out the top five. Other favourites include the kookaburra, galah, splendid fairywren and little penguin, which can be spotted across southern Australia.
The details
The 2025 Australian Bird of the Year competition runs from 6–15 October. Voting is free, with one vote allowed per day and tallies refreshed at midnight – no sign-in or registration required.
Just 10 bird species will enter the final round on 14 October, and vote tallies will no longer be visible. The poll officially closes at 6am on 15 October, with the winner announced on 16 October. If you miss it this year, the Australian Bird of the Year returns in 2027.
003 Drink among the world's oldest grape vines - Australian Traveller
