New Zealand’s karure, or Chatham Islands black robin, has been crowned the country’s 2026 Bird of the Year, earning the top spot in a record-breaking public vote and highlighting one of the nation’s most remarkable conservation success stories.
The small, strikingly dark bird received more than 25,500 votes, finishing ahead of the kākāpō and the New Zealand falcon. More than 105,000 people participated in this year’s competition, with about 88% of the votes coming from within New Zealand.
The victory carries particular significance because the karure was once on the brink of extinction. In 1980, only five black robins remained, including a single fertile female. Conservationists and the Chatham Islands community launched an intensive recovery effort centered on a breeding pair known as Old Blue and Old Yellow.
That work has helped bring the population to approximately 350 adult birds, which now live on two pest-free nature reserve islands. The species remains critically threatened, however, and conservationists say suitable habitat on the existing islands is approaching capacity. Efforts are underway to establish another population on a third island.
The karure is found only on the remote Chatham Islands, also known as Rēkohu, roughly 800 kilometers east of mainland New Zealand. Its distinctive black plumage has even earned it the affectionate nickname of New Zealand’s “goth” bird.
Organized by conservation group Forest & Bird, the annual Bird of the Year competition uses public voting to draw attention to New Zealand’s native wildlife and the threats facing many of its species. Organizers say the record participation demonstrates how the competition can turn a fun cultural event into a platform for conservation awareness.
For the karure, the 2026 title is more than an award. It celebrates decades of conservation work while reminding the public that the species’ recovery is ongoing and that continued protection of its habitat remains essential.
