After years of near-misses, the tawny frogmouth has finally claimed the crown as 2025 Australian Bird of the Year.

In the biennial poll run by The Guardian and BirdLife Australia, more than 310,000 votes were cast in this year’s contest.

This victory is all the more satisfying because the frogmouth has placed second three times before, in 2019, 2021 and 2023. 

In this year’s final tally, it received 11,851 votes, beating out Baudin’s black cockatoo (7,688 votes) and the gang-gang cockatoo (6,256) for the title.

The tawny frogmouth is a nocturnal, camouflaged bird often mistaken for an owl.

Because it blends into tree bark and perches motionless, many people don’t notice it, even though it’s more widespread than assumed.

Its plumage helps it vanish into trunks and branches during daylight, a clever survival strategy.

Sean Dooley, from BirdLife Australia, said the public’s response “has been really joyful,” (The Guardian).

But the poll isn’t just about fun, it shines light on the threats faced by our birdlife, such as habitat loss, deforestation and development pressure.

What is the Aussie Bird Count (and why it matters)

Immediately following the Bird of the Year poll is Aussie Bird Count, Australia’s largest citizen science event. 

Right now, people are invited to spend just 20 minutes observing and tallying birds in their backyard, local park, schoolyard or balcony.

The goals are simple but powerful:

• To build a national snapshot of bird populations
• To help conservationists understand trends in birdlife
• To raise awareness that one in six Australian birds is at risk of extinction (Aussie Bird Count)

It’s easy to join: register, pick a spot, count what you see in 20 minutes, and submit your results via the Aussie Bird Count app or website.

Schools, councils, community groups and individuals are all encouraged to take part.

Because birds react to changes in habitat, climate and human impact, those counts help scientists, land managers and communities make better decisions to protect our feathered neighbours.

The joy and purpose behind counting birds

These two events, Bird of the Year and Aussie Bird Count, are more than contests. 

They celebrate Australia’s native birds, inspire connection with nature, and invite everyone into caring, noticing and stewardship.

BirdLife Australia notes that as Bird of the Year unfolds, people are also drawn to the species in the Top 10, some of which are endangered, such as the southern emu-wren.

By voting, noticing and sharing, millions help spotlight species that might otherwise remain hidden from public view.

When more people get involved in the count, the data improves. 

That means better understanding of habitat loss, climate pressures, declining species, and where conservation efforts can focus.

As we listen for frogmouth calls or spot winged visitors in our yards, we begin to see how every creature, big or small, matters.

Let’s celebrate the 2025 Bird of the Year and commit to keeping count, because nature is worth noticing.

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

About the Author: Joni Boyd is a writer, based in the Hawkesbury Region of NSW. She is passionate about the power of stories shared, to transform lives.

Feature image: Canva

Aussie Bird Count is a nationwide citizen science event that invites everyday Australians to get outside, slow down, and take a closer look at the incredible birdlife in their own backyard. 

Run annually by BirdLife Australia, the count encourages people of all ages – whether you’re a seasoned twitcher or a total beginner – to spend just 20 minutes observing birds in any outdoor space: your backyard, a local park, a school oval, your balcony, or even the staff car park at work. 

It’s simple, surprisingly relaxing, and contributes to real scientific data that helps protect native species.

All observations are logged via the free Aussie Bird Count App (available from the Apple App Store and Google Play or website), which makes identifying birds easy with built-in images and calls. 

The Aussie Bird Count website also has a ton of resources available, from bird ID tips, to field guides and podcasts, to help you become a confident bird counter.

Each sighting, even as common as a magpie or noisy miner, helps researchers understand how bird populations are tracking across different regions. The data is especially valuable over time, revealing trends in urbanisation, climate impacts, habitat loss, and which Aussie birds are adapting well to human environments — and which ones are struggling.

It’s also a brilliant excuse to rediscover joy in the everyday. Families often make it a mini backyard adventure, while schools and early learning centres love it as a nature-based learning activity.

Some workplaces are even running ‘bird breaks’ to get staff outdoors! And because you only need 20 minutes, it’s one of the easiest ways to directly support conservation without donating a cent or leaving your suburb.

This year, organisers are again hoping for record participation. In past counts, more than five million birds were logged in a single week — from iconic kookaburras and lorikeets to shy wrens and wandering ibises. 

Every count matters. And the best part? Once you start noticing the birds around you, it’s almost impossible to stop.

Article supplied with thanks to 96five.

Feature image: Canva

Six months ago, we bought a puppy—a three-month-old bundle of energy.

Now, six months into dog ownership, life has been busy, fun, and completely changed. One of my main goals has been to train this puppy well—essentially, to “raise a dog in the way it should go.” While doing so, I’ve discovered surprising lessons about following Jesus.

I recently read a book by a dog trainer named Doggy Dan, titled What the Dogs Taught Me About Being a Parent. He explains how training dogs taught him valuable parenting lessons. Inspired by that, I realised my dog has also taught me two key lessons about discipleship.

1. Trusting God’s Lead

One of my biggest challenges is stopping my dog from pulling on the lead during walks. She tugs in every direction—wanting to sniff here, explore there, and dart after anything that catches her attention. Meanwhile, I’m holding the leash, thinking, “If you would just walk with me, I’d take you somewhere good!”

Isn’t that how we are with God sometimes? Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.” God has a good path for us, but we often pull away, eager to follow our own desires. If only we trusted Him, He would lead us to peace, joy, and fulfilment.

2. Obeying When Called

Another goal for my puppy is to teach her to come when I call—every time, not just when she feels like it. Right now, she loves chasing seagulls on the beach. If I call her, she’ll sprint toward me… and then run right past like I don’t exist! I realise this is exactly how we sometimes treat Jesus.

Jesus calls us for a reason—to guide, protect, and lead us in love. Yet, how often do we rush past Him, distracted by our own plans? Just like I call my dog to keep her safe, Jesus calls us because He knows what’s best. Our greatest response is simple: obey.

Walking in Faith

If you’re a dog owner, you’ve likely experienced the joys and struggles of training a puppy. But beyond that, maybe God is using those moments to teach you something deeper. He wants to lead you beside still waters, to guide you on the right path, and to call you for a purpose.

The best thing we can do? Trust Him. Follow His lead. And when He calls, come running.

Hopefully, the next time you hear from me, my puppy will have made some progress. But in the meantime, may we all grow in walking faithfully with Jesus!

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Photo by Chewy on Unsplash