Karure black robin wins Bird of the Year 2026
Monday 21 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story NZME, Getty Images
The karure black robin from the Chatham Islands has been crowned New Zealand's Bird of the Year. The critically endangered bird received the most votes, followed by the kākāpō in second place and the kārearea in third.
Key facts
6 facts
- Karure black robin won Bird of the Year 2026
- The bird weighs less than an AA battery
- The karure population has grown from five birds in the 1980s to about 350
- All 350 adults descend from Old Blue and Old Yellow
- The karure is critically endangered
- The 2026 election saw a record 105,000 votes
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
The karure black robin from the Chatham Islands has won the 2026 Bird of the Year title. This diminutive bird, which weighs less than an AA battery, received 26,610 votes to secure the win. The kākāpō finished in second place, followed by the kārearea in third.
The kea and takahē took fourth and fifth place respectively. This marks the first time the karure has topped the Forest and Bird competition polls.
Despite the win, the karure remains critically endangered. Forest and Bird manager Rebecca Hatch noted that the bird's current island habitats are nearly at capacity. Hatch stated, "For the population to keep growing, a third population needs to be established on another island".
The Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust is working to create more habitat and is undertaking a project to remove feral cats from Pitt Island. The karure population has grown from just five birds in the 1980s to approximately 350 adults. All current adults are descended from a single breeding pair named Old Blue and Old Yellow.
How it developed
- Mon 21 Sep, 10:38amThe Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust is working to remove feral cats from Pitt Island to expand habitat.
Where reports differ
- One report states the karure received 25,610 votes, while another reports 26,610 votes
Compiled from reports by Otago Daily Times and NZ Herald.