Kārearea & Kāhu Differences
It can be easy to confuse a NZ falcon (kārearea) with a Swamp harrier (kāhu). 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 kāhu is found in abundant numbers throughout New Zealand. Whereas the kārearea is extremely rare and are more difficult to spot.
The Swamp harrier is also larger than both the male and female NZ falcons, in fact it is almost twice the size of a female NZ falcon.
When flying, the kāhu tend to flap their wings and glide before flapping again, playing on the wind currents. The kārearea is much faster, they normally fly to a destination, maybe chasing it's next meal, and have a constant very rapid wing beat.
Kārearea
(NZ Falcon)
Size
Magpie size
½ size of Swamp harrier
300 – 500 grams
Status
Endangered
Description
Dark and fast Speckled chest
Rufus/red ‘pants’
Brown eyes
Brown bar on the face (like a moustache)
Flying Away Rump is dark-coloured
Soaring Very fast wing beats
Wings flat for a short time
Flight Characteristics
Flies fast – rapid wing beat
Hunting Very fast – stoops. Chases smaller birds.
Typical Prey Small birds
Call Rapid, piercing Kek-Kek-Kek
Flight Silhouette Pointed wings Straight tail
Kāhu
(Swamp Harrier)
Size
Black-backed gull size Twice the size of a NZ falcon 1 kg
Status
Common
Description
Generally slow flying Juveniles are dark brown
Get paler with age Yellow eyes
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 the wind
Lands on carrion
Typical Prey
Eats carrion
Call
Generally silent
Plaintive Kee-a
Flight Silhouette
Fingered wings Slightly rounded tail
Wide wing span