Key events
Here’s how the rankings broke down in the final vote:
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Tawny frogmouth
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Baudin’s black cockatoo
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Gang-gang cockatoo
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Willie wagtail
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Bush stone-curlew
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Laughing kookaburra
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Southern emu-wren
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Spotted pardalote
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Wedge-tailed eagle
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Little penguin
In celebration of the 2025 bird of the year, we’ve put together this beautiful poster featuring the art of Pete Cromer, that you can download for free here:
Tawny frogmouth is the 2025 bird of the year
Voters have finally declared the tawny frogmouth their bird of the year, after relegating it to second place three times in a row.
More than 310,000 votes were cast after polling opened on 6 October and the tawny led the charge from the start, despite being hotly and persistently pursued by two cockatoos: the Baudin’s black cockatoo and the ever-popular gang-gang.
A tawny frogmouth win, however, was far from guaranteed. It was voted runner-up in 2019, 2021 and 2023. It also led the vote in the final stages of the 2023 competition, only to watch the swift parrot soar past on the final day.
This year, 11,851 votes were cast for the tawny in the final round, comprehensively awarding it first place ahead of the Baudin’s black cockatoo, which came in second with 7,688 votes, and the gang-gang, coming in third for the third time, with 6,256 votes.
Read the full story here:
All right folks, the moment is nearly upon us. Guardian Australia’s editor, Lenore Taylor, has entered the livestream. We’re nearly there.
Guardian Australia’s Matilda Boseley wasn’t the only fan of the Australian pelican – Mary from Queensland also nominated it. She told us:
The spectacular Australian pelican is an awesome bird. With a wingspan up to 3m it’s Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill in the world! It has a fabulous lifestyle – breeding communally on remote islands or vast inland wetlands. It hangs out with its mates and fishes communally. A spectacular bird!
There were lots of birds that you all loved that didn’t make it into the top 10. Here are some of them.
Schmelks, from Victoria, nominated the apostlebird:
They look straight out of Angry Birds, and get about in garrulous little gangs. Talkative, bold, clownlike behaviours and just about the funniest thing you can see. Having your campsite mobbed by them is an utter delight.
Wannabeabago, of Lismore, NSW, spoke in favour of the yellow-tailed black cockatoo:
It’s such a majestic bird. I love the sound of its cry as it flies overhead … it gives me goosebumps. Its shyness … it’s just beautiful really. It needs protecting.
The currawong got Anthony from Erskineville’s nomination:
Because they greet me and everyone on our street every night at sunset with their beautiful calls.
Zoe, of Scotts Head, NSW, put the pied oystercatcher forward:
They are along our beach so make me happy every day as they walk about looking busy and important.
Top 10 spotlight: wedge-tailed eagle
One of the largest birds of prey in the world – pairs have been seen working together to take down a kangaroo – the wedgie’s reputation as a sheep killer is somewhat overstated yet we still see horrific mass poisonings. Once persecution stops, these seriously impressive beasts start to make a comeback.
Reader Alex from NSW explained what makes them so great:
The wedge-tailed eagle is majestic and wise. It soars high above the chaos below with a balance of strength and grace. It brings a deep connection to land and a responsibility to protect it. It offers protection and guidance.
And we’re back! Phew!
We may have a bit of a sound glitch there on the livestream – hold fast, folks, I’m told there’s troubleshooting occurring.
Top 10 spotlight: spotted pardalote
They’re not terribly well known but, once seen, these little gems really enchant those who notice them. They feed quietly on eucalypt leaves but nest in tunnels they excavate to escape larger, more aggressive species. They have a sweet but surprisingly loud call that some think sounds as though they’re saying “Miss Piggy”.
A reader going by the name of Love the Pardalote in Victoria nominated the pardalote, saying:
Tiny in size but huge in stature, the spotted pardalote’s beautiful plumage and calls are well worthy of recognition.
Top 10 spotlight: tawny frogmouth
The poor old tawny frogmouth has been the bridesmaid for the past three bird of the year votes. What does this adorable and charismatic muppet have to do to get over the line? Quite common across Australia, it relies on looking like a lump of dead wood to avoid detection during the day. But enough people have noticed it for researchers to nominate it the world’s most Instagrammable bird.
Sallym, Sydney, put it simply in her nomination:
Look at it, it’s awesome!
This year, there really has been a sense that it might be tawny time – perhaps encapsulated best by this Instagram account, Justice for Frogmouths, that appeared just as the poll kicked off.
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