Australia Has Spoken: The Tawny Frogmouth Takes the Crown
It’s official — the tawny frogmouth is Australia’s 2025 Bird of the Year, finally claiming the title after coming runner-up three times in a row.
The biennial poll, run by The Guardian and BirdLife Australia, saw more than 310,000 votes cast by bird lovers across the country. The tawny took an early lead and never looked back, finishing strong with 11,851 final-round votes.
Trailing behind were the Baudin’s black cockatoo with 7,688 votes and the beloved gang-gang cockatoo in third place with 6,256 votes.
A Beloved Aussie Icon
The tawny frogmouth is found only in Australia and can be spotted in nearly every habitat — from city parks to open woodlands — except in dense rainforests, alpine regions or treeless deserts.
Often mistaken for owls, these nocturnal birds are actually more closely related to nightjars. Their silvery-grey plumage and russet streaks make them blend perfectly with tree bark, turning them into natural masters of camouflage.
They mate for life, share parenting duties, and have a surprisingly goofy charm that Australians can’t get enough of.
Fun fact: a German study once declared the tawny frogmouth the “most Instagrammable bird in the world.”
More Than Just a Fun Poll
Sean Dooley from BirdLife Australia called this year’s poll “joyful and celebratory,” saying it brings attention not only to the country’s stunning bird life but also to the challenges many species face.
“The competition reminds people how wonderful our birds are,” Dooley said, “but also how precarious so many of our species have become.”
This year’s event helped shine a light on the threats facing native habitats — from mining projects in Western Australia that endanger the Baudin’s black cockatoo, to developments affecting the southern emu-wren in South Australia.
A Win That Brings People Closer to Nature
The poll’s timing coincides with BirdLife Australia’s Aussie Bird Count, a citizen-science project encouraging people to record the birds in their backyards and local parks.
Together, these initiatives spark a national conversation about conservation, helping Australians reconnect with nature — one bird at a time.
A Worthy Winner
After years of near misses, the tawny frogmouth’s victory feels like justice for one of Australia’s most charming and photogenic residents.
Quiet, loyal, and endlessly expressive, this night-time guardian of the gum trees has finally earned the recognition it deserves — and reminded us all why protecting Australia’s wildlife is worth celebrating.
