Description
Kārearea of the Capital, Wellington’s High‑Speed Legends
A sharp cry slices through the air above the capital. A New Zealand Falcon| Kārearea – launches into the sky, wings tucked, eyes locked, ready to strike. Wellington has quietly become a stronghold for these remarkable hunters, and over the years, they’ve grown into local legends, weaving themselves into the daily rhythm of the city.
Although only an estimated 2,000–5,000 Kārearea remain across Aotearoa, Wellington has been fortunate. For several seasons now, the city has successfully fledged these magnificent birds, and they’ve embraced the capital’s wild pockets as their own. In return, Wellingtonians have embraced them, a fierce, feathered reminder that this is a bird‑friendly city at heart.
From the forested valleys of Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, through the ancient giants of Ōtari‑Wilton’s Bush, to the pine‑clad slopes of Mt Victoria, their presence is unmistakable. Listen long enough and you’ll hear their hunting calls echoing across the hills as they tear through the air at speeds topping 200 km/h, chasing down their next meal with astonishing precision.
During the breeding season, family groups of three or more often take to the skies. If you’re lucky, you might witness one of the most extraordinary sights in the bird world: juveniles in aerial training sessions. The adults soar above, dropping prey mid‑air while the young falcons flip upside‑down beneath them, learning to catch food in full flight, a breathtaking dance of instinct and agility.
Adult Kārearea are easy to recognise with their bright yellow legs, feet, and eye‑ring, along with the vivid cere above the beak. Juveniles, by contrast, wear softer blue‑grey tones as they grow into their adult colours.
So next time you hear a sudden commotion – Tūī bursting skyward, calling out in alarm from the tallest treetops; pause for a moment. Look up. Chances are, a Kārearea is carving across the sky nearby, ruling the capital with silent wings and a warrior’s cry.
A juvenile NZ Falcon | Kārearea at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, Wellington, New Zealand
Camera Settings
- ƒ/7.1
- 1/250
- ISO 1000
- EV +1.7
- FL 500 mm
Location
This juvenile Falcon photograph was taken at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, Wellington, New Zealand
Print Size & Specs
NZ Falcon
Limited Edition Photo ~ By Tony Stoddard
Medium Print:
Paper Size 420 x 420mm
Image Size 360 x 360mm
Edition Number 10
*Unframed
Shipping
Please allow a minimum of 4 working days from printing to shipping. Photos are printed to order, signed, and numbered.
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Fine Art Print
Each limited-edition photo fine art print is signed and numbered.
Photos are archival pigment prints on Fine Art Smooth Cotton Rag 330gsm. Professionally printed by: Print Art – Fine Art Imaging
Helping to support our native birds
A portion of every print sold will be donated to The Nest Te Kōhanga, a wildlife hospital that’s dedicated to caring for New Zealand’s native species since 2009.
$1,648.00
Donated to The Nest Te Kōhanga
A massive thank you to everyone who has helped me raise funds to support the team at The Nest Te Kōhanga at Wellington Zoo. Your generosity makes a real difference.
A percentage of every limited‑edition print or photo purchased from my website will continue to support the incredible work The Nest Te Kōhanga undertakes to help rehabilitate our injured native birds and return them to the wild.
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