The majestic kārearea can fly at speeds of more than 200 km per hour and swoops to capture its prey, often smaller birds. - AP
WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s annual bird election is contested by cheeky parrots, sweet songbirds and cute, puffball robins. This year’s winner was a mysterious falcon that wouldn’t think twice about eating them.
Kārearea, the Indigenous Māori name for the New Zealand falcon, was crowned Bird of the Year on Monday (Sept 29). But the annual poll, run by conservation group Forest & Bird, is no ordinary online vote.
