First there was Wordle. Now there is Birdle NZ – a new version of the daily guessing game released by Forest & Bird as it celebrates two decades of the Bird of the Year.
Just like Wordle, Birdle NZ challenges players to crack the puzzle in five guesses or fewer – but this time, it’s all about the manu of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Each day, players listen to the bird’s call and then test their knowledge across five categories: food type, bird size, foot function, habitat and name. Correct answers turn green, and with every guess the bird image becomes clearer until the right answer is revealed.
“Bird of the Year has always been about finding creative ways to connect people with our unique and threatened wildlife,” Forest & Bird chief executive Nicola Toki says. “Birdle NZ is a fun way to test your bird smarts or learn something new – and a reminder why protecting these species matters.”
The Birdle game was developed by Alberto and Lily of Raining Rock Studio in partnership with BirdLife South Africa. Raining Rock’s goal is to use gaming not just as entertainment, but as a tool to build awareness and inspire conservation action.
“At Raining Rock Studio, we believe games can change the way we see the world, bring communities together, and tell stories about species that matter,” Alberto says. “By partnering with conservation organisations like Forest & Bird, we hope Birdle will spark curiosity and encourage people to care for their local wildlife.”
“With four in five native land birds in Aotearoa at risk of, or threatened with, extinction, Birdle NZ is more than just a game – it’s a daily reminder of the beauty and fragility of the country’s feathered taonga,” Toki says.
Birdle NZ is available to play free online. A new bird will be released every day.
ENDS
