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Kōrero: 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.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10030897

by Barry J. Harcourt

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

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

He kōrero nā Gerard Hutching, i tāngia i te 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?