Every year, the Forest and Bird organisation has a competition to name the most popular Bird of the Year. This year, the competition winner was the Godwit with 1,957 votes. The second place went to the kokako with 1,814 votes and third was the kaka with 988 votes. Go to Bird of the Year to see winners from other years.
The godwits are amazing birds because they travel 11,500 km from Alaska to New Zealand in 9 days, without stopping. Between 80,000 and 100,000 arrive every year in Spring. They feed in the mud in estuary areas, especially in Kaipara and Manukau harbours, Christchurch estuary and near Thames on the Coromandel. When the weather turns cold, they fly back to Alaska to lay their eggs. This time, they make one stop on the way. Listen to Godwits Arrive to hear more about the Godwits and click on the images.