"It is New Zealand's fastest bird, capable of flying 200km/h in its pursuit of prey, and has impressive talons. Karearea are powerful aerial hunters and watch other birds, lizards or small mammals sometimes larger than themselves from a high vantage point before diving to snatch their prey. During nesting season, they become incredibly territorial and protective, which some walkers have discovered the hard way."
"I heard them before I saw them, then they swooped down on me a few times and circled me from above, said Ellie Morgan, a photographer who encountered karearea in Hanmer Springs, in the South Island last month. I got a few good shots of them in the sky but didn't hang around long as I had clearly upset them and thought they must be protecting a nest, she said in a post to facebook."
"Last week, the Hutt city council, north of Wellington, warned people to stay away from a bush track in the region, after nesting karearea were spotted. They have unfortunately been attacking track users on the path, the council said. We recommend avoiding this area for now and giving the 2025 bird of the year winners some space during the nesting season."
Karearea, New Zealand's fast-flying falcon, are dive-bombing walkers who approach nesting sites and become highly territorial during nesting season. The species reaches about 200 km/h and uses powerful talons to hunt from high vantage points, preying on birds, lizards and small mammals. Local councils have warned people to avoid tracks where nesting karearea were spotted after reports of attacks on walkers. Photographers and hikers have reported close swoops and circling behaviour. Population estimates are roughly 5,000–8,000 individuals, and the species faces threats from introduced mammalian predators such as cats and hedgehogs.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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