It's fair to say some feathers were ruffled last year when the Pekapeka tou-roa - or Long-Tailed Bat - was crowned Bird of the Year.
Well, it will be a fleeting reign.
Forest and Bird has announced the bat, which is Aotearoa's only native land mammal, won't be eligible for this year's competition, meaning the prize will definitely go to a bird.
Also out of the running is the competition's only two-time winner - the Kākāpō.
Forest and Bird spokesperson Ellen Rykers spoke to Susie Ferguson.
