It can be easy to confuse a falcon (karearea) with a harrier Hawk (kahu). At first glance they can appear similar, due to having a similar shape and colouring – but look a little closer and the differences are great.
The greatest difference is of course the numbers of each bird. The harrier Hawk is found in abundant numbers throughout New Zealand. Whereas the falcon is extremely rare and are eminently more difficult to spot.
The harrier Hawk is also larger than both the male and female falcons, in fact it is almost twice the size of a female falcon.
When flying the harrier Hawks tend to flap their wings and glide before flapping again, playing on the wind currents. The falcon is much faster, normally flies to a destination, maybe chasing it's next meal and has a constant very rapid wing beat.
Kārearea NZ Falcon
| Size |
Magpie size ½ size of Harrier 300 – 500 grams |
| Status | Endangered |
| Description |
Dark and fast Black/dark brown above – barred below Rufus/red “pants” Speckled chest Brown eyes Brown bar on face (like a moustache) |
| Flying Away | Rump is dark coloured |
| Soaring |
Very fast wing beats Wings flat for short time |
| Flight Characteristics | Flies fast – rapid wing beat |
| Hunting |
Very fast – stoops Chases smaller birds |
| Typical Prey |
Small birds Rarely eats carrion |
| Call |
Rapid, piercing Kek-Kek-Kek |
| Flight Silhoutte |
Pointed wings Straight tail Angled back like an arrow |
Kahu - Harrier Hawk
| Size | Black-backed gull size - 1 kg |
Status |
Common |
Description |
Generally slow flying |
Flying Away |
Cream rump visible |
Soaring |
Wings held in shallow “V” for lengthy periods |
Flight Characteristics |
Slow flight. Often flap-glide-flap |
Hunting |
Searches slowly into wind. |
Typical Prey |
Mammals |
Call |
Generally silent |
Flight Silhoutte |
Fingered wings |