There are hundreds of species of bird in New Zealand, and one of them has just been named the cream of the crop.

The annual Bird of the Year competition, put on by the conservation organization Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, has tallied its votes, and the winner is a shy loudmouth. The hoiho, or yellowed-eyed penguin, has taken home the crown for the second time. Its prior win was in 2019.

The yellow-eyed penguin – found only in New Zealand - is known for its color coordination, with its pale yellow eyes and yellow band that stretches from its eyes to the back of its head. Its name in Maori also means “noise shouter”, as it has a shrill call. Despite the volume, though, these animals are known to be somewhat shy, preferring to build their nests in more private areas.

The goal of the Bird of the Year contest is to get New Zealanders thinking about native wildlife, their habitat, and their threats, especially as many species are facing extinction.

The yellow-eyed penguin is one such species at risk. Listed on the IUCN Red List as endangered, their population is thought to be around 1700 breeding pairs. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, their numbers have fallen by more than 50% in recent decades. Threats they face include habitat loss, high chick mortality due to invasive species, net entanglement, and food shortages driven by climate change impacts on sea temperature.

Past winners of the Bird of the Year contest include other imperiled species, including the New Zealand long-tailed bat, the kākāpō, and the New Zealand rock wren.