Disbarred for Charisma

The New Zealand Bird of the Year competition is underway and, once again, things have got a bit delightfully heated, if you don’t mind my saying so.  This time it’s over the exclusion of a two-time winner from the ballot, on grounds of charisma (read: giving other birds a chance). 

Excerpts from a report in The Guardian:

New Zealand’s annual bird of the year competition could usher in another round of controversy, with perennial favourite the kākāpō struck from the ballot after twice winning the competition.

The fat, flightless and nocturnal parrot is the only species to reign twice as New Zealand’s favourite bird, in 2020 and 2008. This year, however, it will be conspicuously absent, amid concerns that its continued dominance could divert the spotlight from less charismatic candidates.

A spokesperson for Forest and Bird, the election’s organisers, rejected claims that the kākāpō had been banned for good.

“No, not banned from entry. It’s a hiatus. It’s definitely not a lifetime ban,” Forest & Bird spokesperson Ellen Rykers said. “You know, if the same bird keeps winning every year, that might make it not so interesting.”

Rykers said that this year, 40 people had taken up roles as “campaign managers” for individual birds. Organisers are attempting to boost the profile of less glamorous birds – dubbed “underbirds” – that usually get negligible votes. Candidates in this category, including the grey duck and shore plover will be highlighted on the online ballot, in an attempt to spark underdog sympathies among voters.