Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year poll opens

September 13, 2010

Forest & Bird media release for immediate use

Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year poll opens

Musician Don McGlashan and filmmaker Taika Waititi will be trumpeting the virtues of their favourite bird in Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year poll which opens today (September 13th).

Singer-songwriter Don McGlashan will be championing a bird that is better known for its sandwich-snatching abilities than its vocal talents – the weka.

“The weka wins the personality prize hands-down in my book. They’re devious, diffident, gawky and prehistoric-looking. Plus, they’re not gaudy scenery-chewers like the kea or the tui,” he says. 

McGlashan is one of several celebrity campaign managers, including Grahame Sydney (black stilt), Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (kereru), and Taika Waititi (fantail) who will post blogs, musical ditties and videos on Forest & Bird’s website over the next month imploring people to vote for their favourite tweeter.

One new contender in this year’s competition is the barn owl (Tyto alba – pictured left) – a bird that has just started breeding in Kaitaia.

This stunning snowy white bird has been spotted on many occasions in New Zealand from Westland (1948) to Auckland (1985), but it’s never gained a good enough foothold to be classed as a native (i.e breeding) bird.

McGlashan says he is unfazed by this birdy-come-lately.

“After I lay down the platform for my campaign, I plan to look out for empty boasting and downright lies. The weka has no need to be threatened by arrivistes like the barn owl. In order to have a genuine connection with a bird you must have nostalgic memories. Birds like this are going to have a hard time competing against long-term residents.”

The kiwi topped last year’s poll.  Other winners have included the fantail, kakapo, tui and the grey warbler.

The Bird of the Year poll, run by independent conservation organisation Forest & Bird, closes on October 13. Votes can be cast on-line at www.forestandbird.org.nz/poll from September 13.

 ends

© Scoop Media