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.
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.
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
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.
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. And even though this year’s competition has closed, you don’t have to miss out. The Australian Bird of the Year is a recurring event and returns in 2027.
So, who won?
In the end, it came down to 10 finalists: the tawny frogmouth, Baudin’s black cockatoo, gang-gang cockatoo, willie wagtail and bush stone-curlew, southern emu-wren, kookaburra, little penguin, spotted pardalote and wedge-tailed eagle. Voting went dark for 24 hours as the final votes were counted. But on Thursday morning, the results were in and the winner revealed – a moment many are calling poetic justice.
Now, drum roll please! The 2025 Australian Bird of the Year is officially the tawny frogmouth! The adorable nocturnal owl narrowly missed out in 2023, coming in second to the swift parrot. And while the competition might be over for another year, the fight to protect Australia’s native birds is only just beginning.
