Kārearea - The New Zealand Falcon

The New Zealand falcon is small, fast and agile. They've adapted to hunt in dense forest, but they can also be found on tussock covered high country and in areas of cultivated pines. Aggressive predators, they feed mainly on small birds but can and do take prey the size of rabbits or small hares. Kārearea don't tend to scavenge and prefer live prey, skillfully chasing and catching their unfortunate targets in midair - which probably explains why you don't see them feeding on roadkill like their hawk cousins.

Kārearea usually nest in a scrape on the ground - as they have here - but will also nest on ledges or, particularly on steeply sloping ground, within the epiphytic organisms that grow on large trees.

Clutches are usually limited to four eggs.

Our nest is situated in Otago, in the South of New Zealand's South Island. This pair have chosen to set up camp under a fallen log in a pine forest within metres of an access road. In typical Karearea fashion they advertise their presence by aggressively dive bombing anyone or anything that comes within a hundred or so metres of their home. Head-shots are a Kārearea specialty.

Although they are quite small and light (Length: 40 - 50 cm, Weight: 205 - 340 g male, 420 - 740 g female) their high speed and needle sharp talons make caution the smart move if you come under attack. Move back and observe the birds fly sorties out of the nest site in search of food for their voracious offspring without putting you or them in danger. If you want to get a close up view of a nest you can do it here instead.

New Zealand Birds Online have a page dedicated to the Kārearea. Check out the predation attempt captured on the night of the 17th.

Watch a cute chick turn into an apex predator and back again in seconds
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