Australian Bird of the Year 2025: Tawny Frogmouth Takes the Crown

Final vote placed the tawny frogmouth ahead of Baudin’s black cockatoo and the gang-gang cockatoo after 313,000+ total votes.

Final Round: 11,851 votes (Tawny) Baudin’s: 7,688 Gang-gang: 6,256 Poll opened: 6 Oct

The biennial poll concluded with the tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) in first place. It had previously finished second in 2019, 2021 and 2023. For background on species trends, see our coverage of IUCN Red List 2025 updates, work on morphological change in Australian birds, and a reader post from PerthNow on social updates (external post). Details of the final announcement and livestream are available via the organiser’s pages.

A free celebratory poster was made available by the organisers. Timings align with the upcoming national Aussie Bird Count (20–26 October 2025). Learn how simple 20‑minute counts work and see related context in our pieces on migration research and bird‑safe actions.

Tap to reveal vote share (Top 3) & browse the Top 10

1) Tawny frogmouth

11,851

2) Baudin’s black cockatoo

7,688

3) Gang-gang cockatoo

6,256

Remaining Top 10 (order from final list): Willie wagtail · Bush stone-curlew · Laughing kookaburra · Southern emu-wren · Spotted pardalote · Wedge-tailed eagle · Little penguin.

Quick Check: Tawny Basics

Latin: Podargus strigoides. They rely on camouflage during the day.

Aussie Bird Count: starts Monday 20 Oct

— until the national 20‑minute bird count period begins. Take part for a simple backyard/park count. Learn more via migration research context and safer-birds tips.

Related on Karmactive

The live vote named the tawny frogmouth as Australian Bird of the Year 2025. The order for remaining finalists was listed, and basic details about timing, vote counts for the top three, Latin name, and participation in the Aussie Bird Count were noted.

Karmactive Whatsapp group - https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb2BWGn77qVMKpqBxg3D

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