New Zealand bird of the year contest bars world’s fattest parrot from running

Voting in New Zealand’s bird of the year competition begins next week but the kākāpō won’t feature in the poll this year. Photograph: Nature Picture Library/Alamy

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.