Tuesday, November 10, 2020

The competition to elect New Zealand’s bird of the year is being manipulated by an adult toy store

Guardian:

The annual competition, which began 15 years ago to draw attention to native birds, many of which are endangered, has grown into a national obsession. Different types of birds have their own campaign managers and the competition is so fierce that this year has seen record early voting – with 40,000 ballots cast so far and five days still remaining

The poll’s success has attracted commercial interests, such as the endorsement this week by [an adult toy store] of the hihi, a “polyamorous, sexually fluid bird with big testicles”.

The hihi, or stitchbird, is the only bird in the world to mate face to face, according to a statement released by [the adult toy store]