Australian Bird of the Year: Finalists Vie for Coveted Title After Record Voting Turnout
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More than 250,000 votes have been cast as the poll for the 2025 Australian Bird of the Year has officially closed, leaving ten finalists in contention for the prestigious title awarded by the Guardian and BirdLife Australia.Voting concluded at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, with the winning bird to be announced on Thursday, October 16.
A Shock Omission and Familiar Faces
In a surprising turn of events, the Australian magpie – the inaugural winner of the poll in 2017 – failed to secure a place among the top ten contenders this year. This marks an unprecedented outcome for the popular bird, sparking discussion among ornithology enthusiasts.
The ten finalists, as of Monday’s poll standings, are:
- Tawny frogmouth
- Baudin’s black cockatoo
- Gang-gang cockatoo
- Willie wagtail
- Bush stone-curlew
- southern emu-wren
- Laughing kookaburra
- Little penguin
- Spotted pardalote
- Wedge-tailed eagle
History Suggests a Tight Race
Despite their current rankings, experts caution against assuming a predictable outcome. As one analyst noted,”Don’t let appearances deceive you-history shows that high-flying top ten birds can be brutally knocked off the perch.” The tawny frogmouth, in particular, has a history of near misses, consistently placing second in the past three competitions. In 2023, it led the vote at a similar stage, only to be overtaken by the swift parrot once the final vote tallies were concealed from the public.
The gang-gang cockatoo, currently in third place, also boasts a strong track record, having secured third place in the previous two years. Bolstered by endorsements from prominent figures including guardian Australia editor lenore Taylor, independent senator David Pocock, and Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis, the bird has a significant chance of mounting a comeback.
An Upset Potential?
However, the Baudin’s black cockatoo-a newcomer to the poll this year-could potentially stage an upset. As a threatened species, its inclusion has garnered attention and support from conservation-minded voters. The question remains whether this newcomer can “steal the crest” from the established contenders.
How to Follow the Announcement
The winner of the 2025 Australian Bird of the Year will be revealed on Thursday, October 16, between 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.Coverage will be available thru the Guardian’s live blog and live stream, beginning at 11:30 a.m.on the Guardian’s website.
This year’s champion will join a distinguished group of past winners, including the Australian magpie, the black-throated finch, the superb fairy-wren, and the 2023 champion, the swift parrot.
Matilda Boseley showcased her enthusiasm for the competition by sporting a homemade pelican outfit during an appearance on ABC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOUR_YOUTUBE_VIDEO_ID
