It's back. Australia's favourite feathery showdown is here once again as the Guardian opens nominations for Bird of the year 2025.
Presented in partnership with Birdlife Australia, the biennial poll has become a national fixture, combining lighthearted avian rivalry with a serious reminder of the extraordinary diversity - and fragility - of Australia's native birdlife.
In past years the contest has drawn hundreds of thousands of votes and stirred passionate debate. Who could forget the ibis uprising of 2017, when the so-called bin chicken stalked into second place, or the superb fairywren's dazzling win in 2021 - or when powerful owl and cockatoo fans attempted to rig the vote?
More recently in 2023, the critically endangered swift parrot claimed the crown, drawing attention to the threat native forest logging poses to swift parrot habitat across south-eastern Australia.
This year, readers once again have the power to shape the competition and spotlight the native species in need of our attention. Before the final voting shortlist is revealed on Monday 6 October, Guardian readers are invited to nominate their favourite native bird.
Perhaps it's the suburban icon, the sulphur-crested cockatoo, or the Eastern curlew, with its haunting call that is fading from the landscape. With more than 800 species to choose from, the decision will be anything but simple. Nominations open Monday 15 September at theguardian.com
Guardian Australia editor, Lenore Taylor, said: "Guardian Australia's biennial Bird of the year poll highlights Australia's truly amazing birdlife and provides a cheerful national talking point in what can be a pretty grim news cycle. This year we will be challenging readers, and some prominent Australians, to make a social media video advocating for their chosen bird, including - we hope - an attempt at mimicking their call. As always I am on Team Gang Gang. If you've ever heard a gang gang you'll know mimicking it isn't going to be easy. I hope everyone learns something about Australian birds, and finds some joy in Guardian Australia and BirdLife Australia's 2025 Bird of the year poll."
BirdLife Australia CEO, Kate Millar, said: "We love Bird of the year. It is such a joyous celebration of our wonderful Australian birds, as well as a fantastic way for people to connect with some threatened species that are doing it tough and need as much support as they can get. So while I love my magpies and cockatoos, I'm also going to be cheering for birds like the magnificent Red Goshawk, charismatic Baudin's Black-Cockatoo and tiny but beautiful Southern Emu-wren. These are just three of many birds facing an uncertain future and to be able to convey the stories of the threats they face to such a broad and engaged audience is very exciting."
Guardian Australia and BirdLife Australia started the Bird of the year poll in 2017 and have run it every two years since. In 2025, Bird of the year is supported by Bank Australia.
Previous winners were the Australian magpie (2017), black-throated finch (2019), superb fairywren (2021) and the swift parrot (2023). The winner is excluded from the next competition.
Follow the Bird of year on social media and tag @guardianaustralia to show off your best bird call and lobby for your favourite bird.
Marketing partner for this year's Bird of the year campaign is Fed Square.
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About the Guardian
Since launching in Australia in 2013, the Guardian has delivered fearless and trusted journalism - giving a voice to the powerless and holding power to account. The Guardian is proudly independent, open to all, funded by many and beholden to no one. Guardian Australia offers national news coverage and has four bureaux, located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra. The Australian newsroom is also part of the Guardian's 24-hour global news operation, helping to cover breaking international stories in all parts of the world.
About Bird Life Australia
BirdLife Australia is Australia's leading bird conservation and science organisation. For 125 years, the national environmental charity has been working to protect Australia's native birds and their habitats by combining world-class science with community passion. Alongside more than 420,000 supporters advocating, donating and volunteering for Australian birds, BirdLife Australia is working locally, nationally and globally to drive the recovery of threatened birds, restore nature and stop bird extinctions.
Proudly supported in 2025 by Bank Australia
As a customer-owned and B Corp certified bank, Bank Australia is for people who want their money to be a force for good. Guided by its responsible banking policy, Bank Australia balances purpose and profit to make decisions that have a positive impact on people and the planet. Bank Australia does not lend to industries such as fossil fuels, tobacco, and intensive animal farming. Instead, it funds its everyday customers, clean energy transition, and the protection of nature and biodiversity, which includes being the first in the country to care for a 2,117-hectare conservation reserve.
Marketing partner Fed Square
In 2025, Fed Square is a marketing partner for Bird of the year. Fed Square is the gateway to the Melbourne arts precinct and as Melbourne's public square it is the civic, cultural and community heart of the city. It is home to four of Victoria's leading cultural institutions: ACMI - Australia's Museum of Screen Culture, the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT), Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS) and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Fed Square also stages a year-round program of free events. Explore the Test Garden at Fed Square this spring, and discover Fed Square's RESET festival at fedsquare.com
For all interview and information requests email aus.media.enquiries@theguardian.com