In New Zealand, a charismatic parrot is deprived of beauty contests

In New Zealand, voting for the controversial Bird of the Year competition began on Monday, with bird watchers outraged to see kakapo disqualified from the competition.

Many have left their feathers there after regulators’ decision to ban the endangered New Zealand Night Witch Parrot.

The kakapo, better known as an owl parrot, resembling a bowling ball with green feathers, was second in 2021 and previously won the 2008 and 2020 editions.

Unable to fly and with very short feathers, the kakapo was once again a favorite in the competition this year. Biologist David Attenborough even described the bird as “fantastic,” a reference in natural history, introducing it as New Zealand’s favorite bird.

In the face of such pedigree, organizers nonetheless preferred to give lesser-known birds a chance this year.

“The decision to exclude Kakapo from this year’s shortlist was not taken lightly,” Eileen Rikers, a spokeswoman for Forest and Bird, which organized the event, told AFP.

“We know how much people love the kakapo,” she explained, but the competition “aims to raise awareness for all of New Zealand’s native birds, many of which are in extreme distress.”

– ‘Feathers ruffled’ –

“We want the competition to remain fresh and interesting, and to share the spotlight a little bit,” emphasized the association’s spokesperson, which wouldn’t be the competition for what it is “without a few pesky feathers.”

This isn’t the first time the Bird of the Year competition has sparked controversy.

Irregularities have marred previous editions, be it a suspicious number of Russian votes or apparent attempts by Australian neighbors to rig the competition.

And the current champion is pekapeka-tou-roa…a long-tailed racket.

This year, Facebook pages are defending the takahi, which fans describe as a “bull-bodied swamp chicken,” and the kei, with green plumage, two species at “great difficulty” according to Forest & Bird.

But as voting begins, kakapo supporters online are insisting the charismatic parrot ban will not pass.

Martin Bradbury criticizes the contest that has become a “participation prize” for Ugly Birds.

Ben Ovendel rules on Twitter that “the integrity of our great national sport, Bird of the Year, is permanently damaged.”

However, a kakapo expert at the New Zealand Department of Conservation says it is important to allow other species to compete for the coveted title.

“Because anything that can encourage the public to get involved in restoration is a good thing,” specialist Louise Porter told AFP.

“New Zealand has a lot of wonderful birds, but unfortunately most of them are endangered,” she says.

On the verge of extinction, kakapos just had their best breeding season in fifty years, going from 197 individuals to 252 individuals.

The kakapo is unique to New Zealand and can weigh up to four kilograms, like a newborn human.

“One of this year’s chicks weighs 3.2 kilograms – basically a very round ball with feathers,” she says.

“People call the kakapo the largest parrot in the world, and that’s kind of mean,” said Porter, who prefers to call it “the heaviest parrot” — the “most beautiful” term for “beautiful” birds.

The 2022 Bird of the Year will be announced on October 31.

Source: Agence France-Presse