Well done everyone, it has been confirmed that the pūteketeke did indeed take out bird of the century (bird of the year 2023)!

More information about the pūteketeke can be found here:

• https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/australasian-crested-grebe

• https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/australasian-crested-grebe-kamana/

Thanks everyone, winner to be announced on Wednesday (NZT) at the moment. This question resolved as soon as possible afterwards. Closed now in accordance with original plan.

Last night for both the competition and betting!

Oh I have on it on good authority bird of the century voting closed at 5pm NZT. Closing the betting at midnight tonight in advance of the announcement in a week or so

All except the bots are backing pūteketeke

Bird of the Century results announcement has been delayed due to unprecedented vote counts.

Unprecedented because of international exposure? Unprecedented enough for more than 70% likelihood...? 🤔

https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/unprecedented-voting-volume-delays-bird-century-winner-announcement

Update:

Jimmy Fallon is now in on the act... A lot of exposure, will it correlate to votes

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/bird-of-the-century-john-oliver-accidentally-offends-new-zealand-in-jimmy-fallon-blunder/74PZZUXPFNGJHCXHLII7TRGKFE/

Nice to see a bit of controversy over something like this in this day and age:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/502052/dear-john-oliver-kiwis-cry-fowl-over-foreign-interference-in-bird-of-the-century-campaign

Dear John Oliver: Kiwis cry fowl over foreign interference in Bird of the Century campaign

They've made the bombshell claim Oliver's heavyweight support for the pūteketeke is tantamount to Russia's meddling in the 2016 US Presidential election.