The kārearea or New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae), a magnificent raptor capable of diving at speeds up to 200 kilometers per hour, has been crowned the winner of the highly anticipated annual Bird of the Year competition run by the conservation organisation Forest and Bird. This victory marks the second title for the kārearea, placing it in an elite class of champions alongside the kākāpō and hoiho yellow eyed penguin that have also secured multiple wins over the contest’s two decade history. The win highlights the urgent conservation status of New Zealand's only endemic falcon, a species that is sadly now rarer than all species of kiwi.This milestone 20th anniversary competition saw unprecedented engagement, attracting over
