Vote held to choose New Zealand's 'Bird of the Century'

Which bird will be named as New Zealand's bird of the century? Could it be the Kiwi, or a Yellow-eyed penguin or maybe a Kingfisher

There's a chance for people to vote in an historic election in New Zealand - but it isn't to select a new leader.

It's to crown one of New Zealand's native birds "The Bird of the Century" and voting opens on Monday 30 October.

The environmental organisation Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, also known simply as Forest and Bird, is asking people to choose from a list of specially selected feathery creatures.

It's to celebrate the organisation's 100th birthday and to raise awareness of species that are in danger of becoming extinct.

Previous winners of "New Zealand Bird of the Year" include a Rock Wren, a Kakapo and in 2021, a bat won. Yes, you read that right, a bat.

The competition name in Maori - one of the official languages spoken by the people of New Zealand - is: Te Manu Rongonui o te Tau.

The word Manu means flying creatures, so it includes bats.

Whooo is on this year's short list?

The Ruru Morepork has a distinctive two-pitched call, but will that be enough to win Bird of the Century?

The birds are split into categories that range from "Doing OK" to "In some trouble" to "In serious trouble" and "Extinct".

The Huia, the Whekao, or Laughing Owl, and the Piopio, the New Zealand Thrush are three examples of birds on the 2023 shortlist that have become extinct.

Whereas the North Island Brown Kiwi - the national bird of New Zealand - is "in some trouble".

The Kiwi - often used as a nickname for a person from the country - is a small, nocturnal, flightless bird with a long beak and rounded body.

The fact it doesn't fly means it is vulnerable to predators.

Famous for fronting the NZ $20 dollar bill, there are only around 3000-5000 breeding pairs of NZ Harriers remaining in the wild

It's easy to assume the Kiwi, as the national bird, would be a favourite to claim the title, but it hasn't been chosen as "Bird of the Year" since 2009, so perhaps not.

Another competitor is the beautifully coloured Kotare or Kingfisher that has been classified as "doing OK", in terms of its breeding numbers.

They are characteristically fearless and aggressive, which helps them survive and thrive in the wild.

Let us know in the comments which bird you would like to win New Zealand's Bird of the Century.