The endangered yellow-eyed penguin, known as the hoiho, has won New Zealand’s Bird of the Year competition in a year free from the usual controversies that have plagued the event in the past. Unlike previous years marked by voting scandals and foreign interference, this year’s competition remained peaceful, with the hoiho triumphing thanks to local support.
The hoiho, meaning “noise shouter” in Māori due to its piercing call, is one of the world’s rarest penguins. Native to parts of New Zealand’s South Island and the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands, the species is known for its distinctive yellow band of feathers connecting its eyes. Conservationists estimate only 4,000 to 5,000 individuals remain, with the population facing a severe decline, including a recent 18% drop in mainland breeding birds.
“This spotlight couldn’t have come at a more crucial time,” said Nicola Toki, CEO of Forest & Bird, the organization behind the annual competition. The species faces numerous threats, including disease, predation by pests, and attacks by dogs attracted to their fishy scent. Additionally, the birds struggle with drowning in set nets and a lack of food, highlighting the urgent need for marine protected areas to ensure their survival.
The two-week-long competition, which began in 2005, attracted more than 52,000 verified votes. The hoiho secured 6,328 votes, beating out the karure (a black robin) and the kākāpō, a large, flightless parrot. Celebrity endorsements and grassroots campaigns played a key role in its victory.