The ostrich has been crowned Tanzania’s Bird of the Year 2026 after a closely contested national vote, succeeding the superb starling, which held the title in 2025.
The world’s largest flightless bird defeated four other savannah species in a campaign launched in September 2025. Nature Tanzania coordinated the initiative in partnership with BirdLife International and Partner für Und Natur. Results were announced ahead of World Wildlife Day on March 3.
