Imagine being relentlessly attacked from above simply for taking a walk in the woods! That's the reality facing some New Zealanders, and the culprit is none other than the nation's beloved 'Bird of the Year,' the kārearea, or New Zealand falcon. But before you get too outraged, let's delve into why these magnificent birds are dive-bombing innocent hikers. It's a tale of threatened species, protective parents, and shrinking habitats.
The kārearea, a stunning and powerful falcon, clinched the coveted 'Bird of the Year' title in September, a competition that's a national obsession in New Zealand. This isn't just any bird; it's the fastest in the country, capable of reaching speeds of up to 200km/h when hunting. Picture a feathered missile with razor-sharp talons, built for aerial combat. They are apex predators, often perched high up watching for other birds, lizards, or even small mammals larger than themselves, before swooping down with incredible speed and precision to snatch their prey.
But here's where it gets controversial... It's during nesting season that these normally reserved birds transform into fiercely territorial defenders of their young. And unfortunately, some walkers have learned this lesson the hard way.
Ellie Morgan, a photographer, experienced this firsthand in Hanmer Springs on the South Island. "I heard them before I saw them," she recounted. "Then they swooped down on me a few times and circled me from above." She managed to capture some impressive photos but quickly retreated, realizing she was disturbing a nest.
This isn't an isolated incident. The Hutt City Council, near Wellington, recently issued a warning, urging people to avoid a specific bush track due to nesting kārearea. "They have unfortunately been attacking track users on the path," the council stated, advising people to give the 'Bird of the Year' winners some much-needed space during this sensitive time.
Dianna Thomson, a Wellingtonian, had a similar encounter while walking with her son. "This kārearea swooped over my head, like really close!" she told RNZ. While initially startled, she gained a newfound respect for the bird. "It was pretty cool really… It’s good to know our place in the world, isn’t it?"
And this is the part most people miss... This aggressive behavior isn't just random aggression; it's a desperate act of protection by a species under threat.
According to the Department of Conservation, only an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 kārearea remain. They inhabit forests throughout New Zealand but face constant threats from introduced predators like cats, hedgehogs, and stoats, which devour their ground-dwelling eggs. Kārearea typically breed from spring to summer, fiercely guarding their nests and young until the fledglings are ready to leave.
Ali Meade, the conservation delivery manager at Forest & Bird, explains that kārearea exhibit territorial behavior within a 400-meter radius of their nest. However, approaching within 50 meters is likely to trigger a strong reaction. "They dive-bomb you… normally at the top of the head," she warns, emphasizing that the birds usually avoid physical contact to protect themselves.
Habitat destruction plays a significant role in these encounters. As forests shrink, kārearea are forced into smaller areas, increasing the likelihood of encountering walking tracks. "We’re possibly coming into contact with them a bit more," Meade notes.
The solution? Awareness and respect. Walkers should heed any 'kārearea nesting' signs. If you find yourself being swooped at, remain calm and quickly leave the area. It's a small price to pay to help protect these magnificent birds.
So, what do you think? Is temporarily avoiding certain trails a reasonable compromise to protect a threatened species? Or should there be more active intervention, like relocating nests (which is extremely difficult and risky) or more intensive predator control? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! This situation highlights the ongoing tension between human recreation and wildlife conservation. It makes you wonder, how much are we willing to adjust our behavior to coexist with nature, especially when that nature bites back (or, in this case, dive-bombs)?
