"The threatened karearea is New Zealand's only falcon. It is small and tawny, with impressive talons and large dark eyes. Karearea are powerful aerial hunters and watch other birds, lizards or small mammals sometimes larger than themselves from a high vantage point before diving at high speed to snatch their prey. The karearea is just a stunning bird, Emma Blackburn, the chair of the Karearea Falcon Trust said. It's our only remaining endemic raptor and a really important part of our ecosystem."
"They live in forests around the country and nest on the ground, typically under boulders or fallen trees. The birds are very vulnerable to predation by introduced mammals such as cats, hedgehogs and stoats who feast on their ground-dwelling eggs, Blackburn said. Habitat loss through tree logging and the conversion of tussocked grassland into pasture has also likely reduced populations."
Karearea is New Zealand’s fastest bird, capable of reaching about 200km/h when pursuing prey. The species is small and tawny with large dark eyes and powerful talons, and hunts by watching from high perches before diving at speed. An estimated 5,000–8,000 karearea remain, nesting on the ground under boulders or fallen trees. Introduced mammals such as cats, hedgehogs and stoats prey on eggs and chicks. Habitat loss from logging and conversion of tussock to pasture has reduced habitat, and collisions with power lines, buildings and nets also cause mortality. A national Bird of the Year contest drew widespread public attention.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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