New Zealand Falcon
Falco novaeseelandiae
- Class
- Bird
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 1,887
- Most observed in
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The New Zealand falcon (Māori: kārearea, kārewarewa, or kāiaia; Falco novaeseelandiae) 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.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “New Zealand falcon”.