The black robin, once down to just a single breeding pair, wins NZ bird of the year

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Black robin named New Zealand Bird of the Year 2026

   The endangered black robin, also known as the karure, has won the 2026 New Zealand Bird of the Year title. The small bird overcame a reputation for being shy to secure the win, beating out competitors including the two-time champion kakapo. This victory marks the first time the species has won the award, highlighting a significant conservation recovery for a bird that once faced extinction.

   Why it matters

   The black robin population collapsed in the 1970s to a single breeding pair. Intensive conservation efforts since then have grown the population to hundreds of birds.

   What is confirmed

   • The black robin won the New Zealand Bird of the Year 2026 title.
   • The species was once reduced to a single breeding pair.
   • The black robin is an endangered species.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The black robin population has grown to hundreds of birds since the 1970s.
   • The black robin beat out the two-time champion kakapo for the title.

   What to watch next

   • Official announcement of final vote tallies
   • Conservation updates on black robin population growth
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. The Guardian — The black robin, once down to just a single breeding pair, wins NZ bird of the year
   2. Yahoo — New Zealanders pick endangered black robin as Bird of the Year
   3. RNZ — Black robin bucks shy tag to take Bird of the Year 2026
   4. NZ Herald — 'Back the bittern': Councillor urges Bird of Year voters
   5. The Press — Bird of the Year the ultimate comeback kid, but capturing one on camera will test your patience
   6. Forest and Bird — Neck and neck: will karure the black robin beat out two-time champion kākāpō to take first ever Bird of the Year title?
   7. Qazinform — Bird saved from extinction named New Zealand’s Bird of the Year
   8. CNN — This tiny ‘goth’ bird was nearly extinct. Now it’s New Zealand’s Bird of the Year
   9. IFLScience — Tiny Black "Goth" Robin Wins New Zealand Bird Of The Year After Remarkable Conservation Comeback
   10. Yahoo — ‘Goth’ Black Robin That Almost Went Extinct in the 1970s Bounces Back from a Single Breeding Pair to Hundreds of Award-Winning Birds
   11. www.nationalgeographic.com — Can This Bone-Eating Bird Be Saved?
   confidence 100%