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Story: Birds of prey

New Zealand falcon

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New Zealand falcon

Falcons are swift fliers, and chase down their prey. Each pair needs a hunting territory large enough to feed themselves and their young. The territory can vary from 9 square kilometres in open country, to 75 square kilometres in dense forest where prey is harder to find. They defend their area from other falcons.

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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/9974/new-zealand-falcon (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 1 March 2009.