The three-week campaign to select Australia’s bird of the 1 has come to an end. It was bitterly fought 2 on social media. Monday’s result, understandably, has provoked another 3 of celebration and recriminations. The winner swooped 4 with an incredible 19,926 votes, of a total of almost 150,000. The Australian magpie, or Gymnorhina tibicen, 5 the title. It had quietly gained 6 over the white ibis, which had a commanding early lead. The campaign was notable for fierce opinions both 7 and against the ibis, and many illustrations of its controversial urban habits. Complaints were levelled at the competition, of 8 attempted vote rigging, drama and political intrigue were just a few. On the morning of 21 November hundreds of suspicious votes were recorded for the powerful owl. Further investigation identified automated voting, forcing a large number of votes to be removed.