NZ Falcon

I was out at the Taupo range this past week when a flash past just above me and then a loud thump as it collided with something else. I looked up from where I was about to take another shot to see what turned out to be a Falcon hit the ground just out in front of me with a bird in it's talons. It stood there staring at me and occasionally having a peck at it's struggling prey. It was a wet day so the photo I took was not great, I also managed to walk to within about 5 meters of it while videoing. Unfortunately I deleted the video file instead of the crap pic. It's not the first time I've seen an NZ Falcon but was a bit of a rush given where it happened. Apparently a couple of pair were released up Tauhara recently.

Wife saw one swoop in and grab a sparrow off her bird feeder recently.

If you ever get the chance go to Wingspan in Rotorua. They have an amazing place there and have a display with the resident Falcons - you can even get them to land on your arm if you are game enough. We have a pair that lives around our place - just love seeing them in the wild.

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Originally Posted by Mrs Beeman

If you ever get the chance go to Wingspan in Rotorua. They have an amazing place there and have a display with the resident Falcons - you can ever get them to land on your arm if you are game enough. We have a pair that lives around our place - just love seeing them in the wild.

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My brother had a resident Falcon for some time. Wingspan caught and banded him. Biggest buzz was to see the bird bring in a dead sparrow and try to feed bro’s ducklings with bits. Footage on YouTube I believe.

We often get them at home

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I have had my fair share of Falcon encounters....

I have seen one hit a fully grown paradise duck in mid air. It didn't end well for the duck.

Watched one for ages one day flying low to the ground catching 'winged grasshoppers' (locust'y looking things).

Have had one fly past me with a tui in its talons !!

Amazing birds !! One of the most aggressive falcons for their size in the world.

What I love most is how they eyeball you. They just look right at you totally unafraid !!!




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Mu brothers saw one in action while commercial fishing in Fiordland. Heard a screech and looked up to see a falcon nail a big black gull (prob 3X its size) at decent altitude. Rode it down into the sea, drowned it then ate it.

Watching a clearing just off clements mill rd and bunch or wax eyes having a ball in nearby tree,falcon swooped in and grabbed one ,fully crash tackled into the branches to get it as well..

We have a resident pair at our place and see or hear them regularly. We had chooks and Muscovy ducks but they never took a single one, much to my surprise. I guess there must be enough fantails, tuis and kereru for them.

I saw one catch and kill a fantail a few years ago when working on a local hop farm. An amazing thing to see.

Resident pair nesting in the rocks near where I was working on a swing bridge, had to were a helmet as they would have a go out you in the middle of the bridge.

Driving up a ski road and something caught my eye way up high, was a falcon and kea scrapping it out in mid air, they dropped about 4-500m below where I could see them

In the late 1990's, there used to be a NZ Falcon up the Hapuku river in Kaikoura. The bugger used to swoop down out of the sun, usually from behind, and whack people in the head. People in the know used to put a hat on a long stick and run the 2-300m gauntlet until they were 'clear'- bloody funny.

Neighbour came back to his ute and this guy was inside on the seat. We looked after it for 4 days untill wingspan collected it. They had released it a few weeks earlier with 3 others. He was very tame and would sit on your hand, they were going to feed him up and release again in a week or two.Attachment 202142

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This one was super inquisitive and sat checking me out for about 20 minutes.

Cool birds alright, we used to see them while working in Kiangaroa as they chased fantails for ages , most times the fantail got away so long as they could make it back into the cover of big pines.

Got within a few yards of one up Mt Menzies awhile back, seemed like it came and parked just to see what I was doing.
Took photos on the old phone advancing slowly till it flew
Beautiful birds, got that Prey look we all admire.

Found one a couple of years ago on the farm driveway with a broken wing, it was obviously hurting but unafraid of me. Went back for a blanket to grab it with and the fucking thing had gone back onto the road and been killed.

Now we have a different model Falcon on the road making a racket, one of the local farm workers has a new toy...

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Originally Posted by Kopua Cowboy

Found one a couple of years ago on the farm driveway with a broken wing, it was obviously hurting but unafraid of me. Went back for a blanket to grab it with and the fucking thing had gone back onto the road and been killed.

Now we have a different model Falcon on the road making a racket, one of the local farm workers has a new toy...

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Haha, it's on the road it'll end up the same way.

Have one or a pair living around where I am just out of Tauranga - hear the distinctive calls every now and then. Much different to the swampies' screech. Very cool.

There’s a pair at the homestead on the farm I look after from time to time. They’re accustomed to the comings and goings of the farm and will happily perch and screech for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdaOC4CzX60