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 campaignmanagers 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."
