Voting for Bird of the Year opens today

Last year's winner, the kokako. Photo/Supplied

Forest and Bird's annual Bird of the Year contest starts today, (October 09) with the aim of raising awareness of threats to native birds.

New Zealanders have been asked to vote for their favourite bird, with strong competition expected.

Co-ordinator Kimberley Collins said well-known New Zealanders were acting as campaign managers to promote different birds.

"The competition can be fierce, and people find all sorts of ways to promote their bird.

"We've had people making videos, running serious online campaigns, designing posters, reading poetry in the street - even getting tattoos of their bird!"

Ms Collins said the main aim of the contest was to make the public aware of the threats New Zealand's native birds faced.

"Our birds are in real trouble. Their habitats are being destroyed and introduced mammalian predators such as stoats, possums and rats kill their eggs, young, birds, and even adults.

"There's also the threat of climate change, which has the potential to limit their habitat range, increase pest numbers and, in some cases, reduce their ability to forage for food."

The competition has attracted more than 20,000 votes each year. Last year's winner was the kokako.

Previous winners included the pukeko, kiwi, New Zealand falcon (karearea) and the bar-tailed godwit (kuaka).

The 2015 winner, the Bar-Tailed Godwit. Photo/Supplied

This year, the conservation status of each bird has been added to the competition website.

"I think a lot of people will be surprised to see how many of our native birds are at risk," Ms Collins said.

"Tragically, a third are in danger of becoming extinct."

Voting closes on Monday October 23 at 5pm. The winner would be announced the following day.

Voting is open at www.birdoftheyear.org.nz(Oct