The World's Fattest Parrot, Kākāpō, Named New Zealand's Bird Of The Year For 2020

Another endangered bird, the antipodean albatross, which is often caught in fishing nets, won most first-choice votes out of the more than 55,000 votes cast but under the competition's preferential system the kākāpō came through. Organisers said they hoped the antipodean albatross did not feel robbed. The competition has boosted environmental awareness, organisers said, compared with 15 years ago when bird of the year started It is definitely part of a shift in thinking about the needs of New Zealand's unique environment and native species. It has also introduced the public to some weird and wonderful characters. The world's most famous k ākāpō is Sirocco, who reputedly thinks he is human after a respiratory illness meant he became the first male to be hand reared.