New Zealand Falcon
Falco novaeseelandiae
A compact raptor endemic to New Zealand, with streaky cream-and-brown breast and reddish-brown undertail. In flight, note rapid beating of long pointed wings, and long rounded tail shape while gliding. Females are much larger than males. Widely distributed throughout New Zealand in native and exotic forest, as well as in tussock grassland and farmland. Will aggressively dive-bomb intruders close to nesting sites. Distinctive “kek-kek-kek” call given during attacks. Similar to Swamp Harrier but smaller; rarely feeds on road kill, actively chases prey, and glides with wings set flat rather than a shallow “V” shape like the Swamp Harrier.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Falco novaeseelandiae
- Authority
- Gmelin, JF, 1788
- Order
- Falconiformes
- Family
- Falconidae
- Genus
- Falco
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Spot-tailed Nightjar
Antiurus maculicaudus
Small nightjar of savanna and grassland with scattered bushes and palmettos. Spends the day roosting cryptically on the ground, but at night may be found beside quiet roads and tracks. Like all nightjars, eyes reflect amber-red in lights. Plumage similar to other nightjars, but note the pale buffy eyebrow, buffy V-shaped stripe on the back, and bold wing spotting. Male has small white tail tip, lacking in female. White spots on male’s tail usually only visible in the hand. Song is high and insectlike, unlikely to draw attention.
Black-tailed Treecreeper
Climacteris melanurus
Distinctive very dark bird with large feet, most often seen running up and down the sides of trees in dry forest, savanna, and moist lowland forest of northern Australia, where it is the only treecreeper species. Uniformly rich, dark brown, almost black, with white streaks on the throat. In flight. shows bold tan wingbars. The western subspecies (wellsi) has reddish-brown underparts. Call is a slow, repeated "pip pip pip," usually followed by a fast trill of the same note.
Malabar Trogon
Harpactes fasciatus
Brightly-colored but sluggish medium-sized bird. Unmistakable; the only trogon in its range. Male has black head, white “belt,” and bright red belly. Female has a brown head and orangish underparts. Both sexes have a bright blue bill. Sits quietly in the middle levels of forests, often near bamboo clusters; also follows mixed-species foraging flocks. Gives a series of inflected yelps: “kweh, kweh, kweh.”
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