Kārearea sightings

You might have noticed that the Raingauge Track had been closed over the last few months. This is because a pair of kārearea are nesting near the track and actively guarding the area against both human and avian intruders. Having a top predator like the kārearea around speaks to the success of Wellington’s restoration efforts; without increases in other native manu/birds like kererū, kārearea wouldn’t be here. 

Kārearea do not build nests; rather, they make a scrape in the ground or on small bluffs. They typically lay 2-4 eggs which take about a month to hatch, and both parents contribute to the raising of the chicks, with the male doing most of the hunting and the female guarding the nest.

Kārearea are self-introduced to the sanctuary and were first seen in Zealandia in 2007 and successfully nested here in 2009. They are sometimes confused with the kāhu/swamp harrier, which are often seen feeding on roadkill or slowly gliding over open ground. However, kārearea are smaller, seldom feed on carrion, and are typically seen in faster chasing flights.

Kārearea are predators capable of flying at speeds over 100km/h. Their diet mostly consists of small to medium-sized birds, but they are capable of catching prey larger than themselves, including black shags and pheasants! 

Tips for spotting one:  

• Listen out for their characteristic “kek kek kek” call;

• Listen for groups of tūī alarm-calling, indicating that there is likely a predator nearby;

• Kārearea pluck the feathers off their prey, so if you find a pile of feathers, particularly if the feather shafts are kinked (indicating they have been gripped and pulled out) it could be a sign that a kārearea is in the area!  

Photo credit: Kārearea fledgling by Lynn Freeman