The yellow-eyed penguin or 'Hoiho' won New Zealand's Bird of the Year for 2024. Bird of the Year is an annual election-based competition run by the New Zealand conservation organisation Forest & Bird.
First launched in October 2005, the competition aims to raise awareness of the conservation threats to many endangered native birds.
Native to New Zealand, Hoiho is considered the world's rarest penguin species. Only 1,700 pairs are remaining.
Hoihos are yellow-eyed penguins
The species is known for its elusive behaviour and strong odour.
Hoiho’s Maori name means "noise shouter".
They are shy penguins, hiding their nests in dense vegetation | AP