Story: Birds of prey

Mid-air food pass

This slow-motion film clip shows a male falcon bringing food to the female, delivering it in mid-air. He carries the food in his talons, and as she approaches he releases it for her to catch in her beak. The food pass takes place at high speed and requires precision timing. The female will tear up the food then feed it to the chicks. Once they are big enough to leave unguarded, she too will hunt.

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Birds of prey - New Zealand falcon', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/9975/mid-air-food-pass (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015