South Africans have six feathered contenders to choose from for BirdLife South Africa’s Bird of the Year 2027. Who gets your vote?
Johannesburg, South Africa (15 September 2026) – South Africa, it’s time to back your favourite bird!
Voting has officially opened for BirdLife South Africa’s Bird of the Year 2027, with six very different species hoping to take the title.
Last year marked the first time the public was invited to choose the winner. More than 10,000 people cast their votes. The Black Harrier came out on top and has spent 2026 enjoying its year in the spotlight.
The vote proved so popular that BirdLife South Africa has handed the decision back to the public for 2027!
South Africa’s Bird of the Year Contenders for 2027!
In the running for the title this year is a bird that needs absolutely no introduction. The Hadeda Ibis is often described as South Africa’s unofficial national bird. It brings the wild into our cities, and never goes anywhere without announcing itself!
The Bearded Vulture is also on the ballot. This magnificent mountain bird can live largely on bones and is Critically Endangered, making it an important ambassador for the protection of southern Africa’s highlands.
Then there’s the brightly coloured European Roller, an impressive long-distance traveller that migrates between Eurasia and Africa.
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The Greater Honeyguide has one of the most fascinating claims to fame. The species is well known for leading people to wild bees’ nests, forming one of the most unique and extraordinary partnerships between humans and birds the world has seen.
Garden favourite the Crested Barbet is also up for the title, bringing all the colour and its distinctive trilling call to the competition.
Rounding off the shortlist is the graceful Blue Swallow. The species is highly threatened and closely linked to South Africa’s disappearing mistbelt grasslands and the many species that depend on them.
Currently – at the time of writing – the Bearded Vulture is in the lead with 557 votes, followed closely by the Blue Swallow at 514. The Crested Barbet stands next in line at 214 votes, followed by the Hadeda Ibis at 133, the European Roller at 107 and the Greater Honeyguide at 65.
The winning species will spend 2027 in the spotlight. The Bird of the Year will feature on the January/February cover of BirdLife South Africa’s African Birdlife magazine and will become the focus of educational material throughout the year. Posters, fact sheets, infographics and webinars will help more South Africans learn about the species and the habitats it depends on.
BirdLife South Africa has been naming a Bird of the Year since 2007, when the African Penguin took the very first title. Since then, everything from the Secretarybird and Southern Ground Hornbill to the Cape Gannet, Cape Parrot and Barn Swallow has enjoyed a turn in the spotlight.
BirdLife South Africa says that inviting the public to choose the winner is another way to get more people involved in protecting the country’s incredible birdlife.
“By giving the public the opportunity to cast a vote for their choice of Bird of the Year, we aim to raise awareness of the fact that all South Africans have a stake in the survival of our country’s remarkable biodiversity. To vote for the Bird of the Year symbolises a declaration that you are proud of our natural heritage, and that you will contribute to its survival in the face of many threats,” says Kurt Martin, Communications Manager, BirdLife South Africa.
Voting takes place through BirdLife South Africa’s WhatsApp channel, and each person gets one vote. The poll closes at 12:00 on 25 September 2026, with the winner set to be announced shortly afterwards.
Find out more about the birds in the running by reading their full profiles here!
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