About the New Zealand Falcon
The New Zealand falcon is New Zealand's only falcon, and one of only four living native and two endemic birds of prey. It is frequently mistaken for the larger and more common swamp harrier. It is the country's most threatened bird of prey, with only around 5000–15000 individuals remaining. Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System the falcon is stable at Threatened, with conservation research needed. The kārearea was voted Bird of the Year winner in the annual Forest & Bird competition in 2012 and again in 2025.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The forms of the New Zealand falcon differ in size, colouration, and habitat. The eastern falcon is larger and paler, while the bush falcon is smaller and darker. The southern falcon sits between the other forms in colouration and size, but has a habitat more similar to the bush falcon. The eastern falcon on average has more white tail bars in their tail feathers than the other two forms. The bush falcon primarily lives in forests while the eastern falcon is present in open steppe habitats. The bush falcons have shorter wings with better manoeuvrability within forests.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the New Zealand Falcon lives
When to see the New Zealand Falcon
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Greater KestrelFalco rupicoloidesThe plumage of the adult is mainly pale rufous, both above and below.
Eleonora's FalconFalco eleonoraeEleonora's falcon is a bird of prey, 36–42 cm (14–17 in) long with an 87–104 cm (34–41 in) wingspan.
Grey KestrelFalco ardosiaceusIt is a fairly small, stocky kestrel with a large, flat-topped head and fairly short wings that don't reach past the tip of the tail when at rest.
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