The black robin, a tiny bird that once teetered on the edge of extinction, has been crowned New Zealand’s Bird of the Year for 2026.

In 1980, the species was down to just five birds on the Chatham Islands, with a single fertile female, nicknamed Old Blue, carrying the entire future of the species. Through painstaking conservation work, the population has rebounded to around 250.

The annual vote, run by Forest and Bird, celebrates the country’s unique wildlife and the efforts to protect it. The black robin’s victory is a tribute to one of conservation’s greatest comeback stories.

Rangers who have guarded the birds for decades say the win brings welcome attention to the fragile island ecosystems. From five birds to a thriving population, the black robin is proof that extinction is not inevitable.

Forest and Bird’s annual contest has become a beloved national tradition, drawing hundreds of thousands of votes. This year’s result should boost conservation fundraising for the Chatham Islands’ fragile habitats.