Kererū, also known as the New Zealand pigeon, are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953.

OPINION: If real-life required Harry Potter- style Patronuses, the kererū would be mine.

This tubby, dot-headed, improbably swift native, who loves nothing more than a good feed, often followed by a very large poo ("good luck Harry's" my nana calls them, that's how magical these birds are), who soars through the air like a brick with wings, is my number one bird.

And what's more, they're adorable, with their shimmery sage and heather green wings, caramel cream breasts, and perfectly round chocolate drop eyes. You could just eat them right up. But you're not allowed to. They're protected and don't you forget it.

I'm not alone in my admiration for the kererū. Despite foreign tampering in our free and democratic process (bloody Australian's block voting for "the Shag"), and some hot competition from the flashy kākāpō, the humble kererū is in the lead of the annual Bird of the Year vote - by more than 1000 votes.

READ MORE:

* Brewery helps kererū with first batch of anti window strike stickers

* Kererū debate sows native seeds of division in Bird of the Year competition

* The Great Kererū Count - every sighting helps

KATRINA TIKEY/SUPPLIED Noble beauty.

Yes, 2018, could finally be the kererū's year. They were robbed by the kea in 2017, in 2016 the fancy faced kōkākō took it out, but this year no other bird is within a feather's filament of the mighty Wood Pigeon.

So what's changed for the kererū? Was it comedian and snapchat dude Tom Sainsbury's Snapchat Paula Bennett demanding the New Zealand public vote kererū or else?

Sainso says he's "thrilled of course" to hear the kererū is finally getting the respect it deserves. But with more than a week of voting to go, reckons "Paula" might need to keep pushing.

"There's just something about the kererū that lends itself to comedy," he says, noting that real-life Bennett apparently voted for the bird too.

"If the kea is like the clown of the birds, then the kererū is, I don't know, some other kind of clown."

He's got his "fingers crossed," for a win on October 14.

Snapchat Paula Bennet wasn't the only Kiwi (or should that be Kererū? Should we all be Kererūs now? I think you know my answer to that) pumping for the feathered tubster.

Kererū Brewery, somewhat predictably with hindsight, sent out a campaign brochure to its loyal customers calling on them to vote, and vote hard, for their feathered patron.

"Your vote makes a difference," the digital flyer said. "Help us defeat those cheeky keas (because, really, they won last year)."

BRENDON DORAN/STUFF kererū encounter rates are highest in reserves containing original native forest habitat, but are also frequently observed in adjacent suburban areas.

Good points, well made. Could that have been the boost the kererū needed to take on the kea? Or even... the kiwi?

Ever since that video surfaced of that rogue kiwi attacking a tourist, I've been looking at our national bird in a different light anyway.

I reckon the kererū, drunk on sun-ripened berries, falling out of a tree on a warm summer's day, just might be a better symbol for us.

Just look at that massively fluffed up chest and tiny pea head! If that doesn't just coo Kiwi Pride, I don't know what does.

Ever wondered what a baby kererū looks like? @Tikorangi, photographer of the excellent Rotund Boi photo (below), has an excellent blog post full of NZ birds and a kererū nest. 🥚 #birdoftheyear https://t.co/z5I8cVtO6R pic.twitter.com/RpZWpQhXnx — Vote kererū 💚 #BirdoftheYear 2018 (@kereru4PM) October 1, 2018

The truth is, there isn't really a competition between our magnificent native birds, not really.

The Bird of the Year vote is about awareness, about making Kiwis take the desperate situation far too many of these unique creatures are in seriously.

If it gives you a bit of a chuckle while it reminds you that kea, kōkako, kiwi kākāpō, kaikōura Tītī, and many, many others, including our darling kererū are in danger, then its a job well done.