New Zealand Falcon

A member of the Falconidae bird family, the Kārearea is mainly found in heavy bush and the steep high country in the South Island and is rarely seen north of a line through the central area of the North Island. A small population also breeds on the Auckland Islands; the species is known only from the Chatham Islands from fossil remains. Although protected since 1970, it is considered to be a vulnerable species.

The New Zealand Falcon is classified as Near Threatened (NT), is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

The Kārearea, or New Zealand Falcon, Falco novaeseelandiae, is New Zealand's only endemic falcon and indeed, the only remaining bird of prey endemic to New Zealand. It is frequently mistaken for the larger and more common Swamp Harrier. More

2006 New Zealand Falcon Silver Proof Coin Enlarge image A single silver proof coin - Worldwide mintage issue limit: 3,000. Mintage to date: 3,000. Mintage closed. $79.00 2006 New Zealand Falcon Silver Proof Coin Set Enlarge image This set includes the silver proof falcon coin and six New Zealand proof coins - 5c, 10c 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 - Worldwide mintage issue limit: 3,000. Mintage to date: 3,000. Mintage closed. More

One of 38 species of falcon worldwide, the New Zealand falcon is endemic to this country. Distribution and density - The falcon has a wide distribution, being found on both the North and South Islands and several offshore islands, including Stewart Island and the subantarctic Auckland Islands. Recently, plantation pine forests have been found to be important breeding habitats for falcons. More

Recently a new threat to New Zealand falcons has emerged in the form of wind farms. High mortality rates have been reported for some birds of prey at several overseas wind farms due to collision with the rotating turbine blades. The construction of wind farms in New Zealand falcon habitat may expose it to similar risks. Abandonment of traditional habitat due to wind farm construction is a possibility that needs study. More

The New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) is a threatened endemic raptor inhabiting both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The Maori name for the falcon is Karearea. Falcons are beautiful and iconic species, and are the fastest moving animals in New Zealand. They are intelligent, playful, and firece. Like many other native bird species, the New Zealand falcon does not have the evolutionary adaptations necessary to avoid the mammalian predators that have been introduced to the region by mankind. More

The New Zealand falcon is currently on the brink of extinction, and is considered to be rarer than the Kiwi. Falcon populations continue to decline around New Zealand, and without taking steps to conserve the species, the falcon may become extinct within our lifetime. With careful conservation, however, this pattern of decline can be reversed, and falcons can once again become abundant throughout New Zealand. More

The New Zealand falcon is one of the most interesting falcons. They come from the islands of New Zealand, the only major land mass where there are no peregrine falcons. There aren't any, because these birds are too fierce. There are only 2 raptors on New Zealand (one is a harrier that acts like a buteo), so these birds must take the place of all others. They are super intelligent, and will take anything from a small bird to a cock pheasant on-the-wing. More

New Zealand Falcon Conservation Project = OVERVIEW Nick Fox started research on the New Zealand falcon in 1974 for his PhD and, as part of the study, surveyed falcons in Marlborough. In 1975 he founded the Raptor Association of New Zealand to encourage people in New Zealand to develop skills in looking after birds of prey. More

New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae; Falconidae) flying and landing at high speed. Karearea. NZ Native threatened bird species, New Zealand (NZ). New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae; Falconidae) flying and landing at high speed. Karearea. NZ Native threatened bird species, New Zealand (NZ). More

fiction, featuring the New Zealand falcon, ‘the wildest thing in our skies’. Meet a mysterious itinerant farmhand, thoroughly tuned into his environment, who is able to fly with falcons. Reviews ‘. . . he can find and extol beauty in a weta or a woolshed. His love for the land is infectious.’ North and South ‘. . . natural history with an uncommon and lively control over story-telling techniques . . . swift enjoyment. More

project to save the New Zealand falcon is now benefiting the grapes that go into award-winning wines. And, it’s all about hierarchy in the bird kingdom. The karearea or New Zealand falcon is one of the fastest birds of prey in the world. It is also one of the most threatened, with only 4000 thought to be alive in the wild. More

Karearea, the New Zealand falcon Kakapo NZ falcon A farmer in the Valley called me to tell me of an experience he had just had with a falcon. Apparently, he had been moving cattle up the top end of the Valley close to the bush when he was startled by a falcon swooping down, just a couple of metres in front of him, to pick up a mouse. It was typical behavior of Kararea, the New Zealand falcon, utterly fearless and disdainful of man. More

GENERAL: New Zealand falcons have had full legal protection since 1970, however many falcons are still shot. This prevents successful breeding in some areas. It is also unusually vulnerable to the residual effects of pesticides. Numbers appear to be declining with an estimated population of under 5000 pairs. Extremely active flyers who fiercely protect their territory. They can reach speeds of up to 200km per hour. More

The New Zealand falcon is chronically endangered. Falcons are rarer than any single species of Kiwi.Falcons have eyesight 8 times better than humans.Falcons can reach speeds of over 200 kph.The males and females are different.The female is close to one third larger than the male.Female falcons weigh around 500 grams.Male falcons weight about 350 grams.They lay between one and four eggs each year. Eggs hatch after 31 days.In captivity some falcons have lived for about 15 years. More

New Zealand Falcon 2 - Fauna Illustration - FAUNA ILLUSTRATION New Zealand Falcon 2 - Falco novaeseelandiae - Karearea (Maori) **SOLD** Botanical and Fauna Illustration works are a new venture for Lynette Weir for further information contact Lynette Weir All artwork images on this website are copyright Lynette Weir and may not be reproduced without permission - Previous Index 1 More

New Zealand falcons vary in size and colour according to their main habitat. The bush falcon (whose population is an estimated 650 pairs) is found in the North Island and the west and north-west South Island. The South Island’s eastern falcon (3,150 pairs) is found in open country. It is larger, and paler in colour. The southern falcon (200 pairs) lives in coastal Fiordland, Stewart Island and the Auckland Islands, and has more reddish plumage. More

New Zealand Falcon photo Falcon New Zealand Falcon photo Falcon The New Zealand Falcon (Kārearea) is New Zealand's only endemic falcon and only remaining bird of prey endemic to New Zealand. A member of the Falconidae bird family, the Kārearea is mainly found in heavy bush and the steep high country in the South Island and is rarely seen north of a line through the central area of the North Island. A small population also breeds on the Auckland Islands. More

A New Zealand Falcon (karearea) perched on a tree trunk. Related pages Buy this image More pictures of falcons More fauna pictures - This web site, logo, name, content, photos, and design are protected by international copyright law. Original versions of our photos can be purchased & web versions can be shared subject to conditions. More