{
  "id": 14664590,
  "title": "Online-Wahl: Mehlschwalbe ist „Vogel des Jahres“ 2027",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/online-wahl-mehlschwalbe-ist-vogel-des-jahres-2027",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-15T09:40:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/forschung-innovation/online-wahl-mehlschwalbe-ist-vogel-des-jahres-2027/100262501.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Hilpoltstein/Berlin. The common swift has been named the \"Bird of the Year\" for 2027, according to a nationwide online vote. The Nabu Nature Conservation Society and the Bavarian Bird and Nature Conservation Society (LBV) announced that this bird secured roughly 45% of the votes, outpacing its four competitors by a significant margin. The barn swallow claimed second place, followed by the black kite, the water rail, and the crane. Over 148,500 individuals participated in the online voting process. The \"Bird of the Year\" designation has been awarded annually by these conservation organizations for over 50 years to raise awareness about bird conservation. Since 2021, the public has the opportunity to vote online. However, Nabu and LBV pre-selected five candidates for the competition. The common swift (Delichon urbicum) is classified as endangered in Germany. According to Nabu and LBV, the swift migrates to southern Africa for the winter and returns to breed in colonies on buildings in April. However, these birds often lack suitable nesting sites in modern buildings, according to Nabu and LBV. Additionally, nests are illegally removed and the birds are disturbed. Insect decline also poses a threat to the common swift.",
  "summary": "Die Mehlschwalbe gilt als Vorbotin des Sommers und baut kunstvolle Lehmnester. Im kommenden Jahr ist sie Botschafterin für mehr Vogelschutz – auch in eigener Sache.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}