Endangered black robin chosen as New Zealand's Bird of the Year

The black robin has been named New Zealand's Bird of the Year.

The endangered bird was chosen out of over 70 species after a record number of New Zealanders voted.

The competition is run by conservation group Forest and Bird as a way of raising awareness of the country's wildlife.

105,000 people voted in the competition, with the Karure black robin getting 25,000 votes.

The black robin, also known by its Māori name Karure, is only found on the Chatham Islands, around 800km (500 miles) east of New Zealand's South Island.

In 1980, only five of the birds remained, but after successful conservation work there are now about 350.

The birds live on two pest-free nature reserve islands, but for the black robin to keep thriving, conservationists say another island home is needed.

The organisers of Bird of the Year said most of the people that voted this year were from New Zealand, with more children and young people taking part.

The black robin won ahead of Kākāpō, the world's heaviest and only flightless parrot, and the New Zealand falcon ( karearea in Māori), which came in second and third.

This year is also the first year to split birds into parties, with the black robin included in the Shy Birds - birds that keep quiet and hidden for survival.

The winning party was the Tree Birds, which includes pōpokotea whitehead, mohua yellowhead, and pīpipi brown creeper.

Rebecca Hatch from Forest and Bird said:

"One thing we heard again and again from voters was, 'I didn't realise how many of our birds are in trouble.' New Zealanders love nature but often assume it's doing okay.

"That's exactly why Bird of the Year matters. It helps people discover, connect with, and fall in love with the incredible diversity of New Zealand's wildlife, while shining a light on the real challenges nature is facing.