Threatened kārearea falcon wins New Zealand’s 2025 bird of the year

The country’s fastest bird has taken out the top prize in a scandal-free year for the annual pollNew Zealand’s fastest bird, capable of flying 200km/h in its pursuit of prey, has been crowned bird of the year – a long-running annual competition that has previously been a lightning rod for scandal and hijinks.The threatened kārearea is New Zealand’s only falcon. It is small and tawny, with impressive talons and large dark eyes. Kārearea are powerful aerial hunter