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Story: Birds of prey

Falcon and chicks

Falcon and chicks

The female falcon breaks food into pieces for her chicks. Here they are eating the leg of a small bird. Nests may be high on bluffs, tucked into a rock for shelter, or high in a tree. In open country falcons may nest on the ground. In each case they have a clear view of potential intruders. The nearby area is well defended – nesting falcons sometimes dive-bomb people and can cause head injuries.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10030897

by Barry J. Harcourt

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching, Birds of prey – New Zealand falcon, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/9977/falcon-and-chicks (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 1 March 2009.

Comments

Gerald
01 December 2015
We felled a rotten tree in a kiwifruit orchard in Te Puke. A nest came down and we found 3 live chicks and 1 dead one. I think they may be theyour may be hawks or falcons. Their eyes are open and they are covered with a white fluff. I put them all together in the nest on the ground. Will the mother return to them?