The 2025 Bird of the Year winner has its talons out in Wellington, with people being attacked on a popular bush walk by nesting kārearea, or New Zealand falcons.
Hutt City Council is asking walkers on the Haywards Track between Whites Line East and Mawson Street to give the birds some space and avoid using this area for now.
Wellingtonian Dianna Thomson was out for a peaceful bush walk with her son when she had a very close encounter with the kārearea.
"I just came through this particular bit and this karearea swooped over my head, like really close, doing its calling thing... and I went, 'Woah! That was quite full on, I wonder what that was about,'" she said.
It has given her even more of an appreciation for the majestic 'Bird of the Year'.
"It was pretty cool really... It's good to know our place in the world, isn't it?"
Ali Meade from Forest and Bird told RNZ while the falcon's behaviour might be ruffling some feathers, it is perfectly normal for this time of year.
"They are really busy being parents, so they're nesting and about to start looking after young," she said.
2025 Bird of the Year winner, the kārearea, or New Zealand falcon. Photo: Supplied / Paul O'Hagan
The falcon nested on the ground, and sometimes in trees, so they could be quite exposed to prey that wanted to eat them.
"It means they get quite defensive. They do tend to defend the nest area and defend their territory. If humans get a little bit too close we do see them dive bombing and swooping," said Meade.
They only do that if you got too close, so her advice was to give them some space.
"Quickly and calmly move away from them and let them get on with being parents and looking after young without you in the way," Meade said.
A sign on the Haywards Track. Photo: Mark Papalii / RNZ
Hayward Track sign. Photo: Mark Papalii / RNZ
Thomson was happy to oblige, and had no plans to return to the Haywards Track until after the falcons had finished nesting.
"I certainly have not gone back through, I thought they need their privacy, they've got babies."
Paul O'Hagan has been working on tracks around Wellington for 20 years and often sees the kārearea. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Paul O'Hagan has been maintaining the Haywards Track in Wellington for 20 years, and told RNZ he often sees the kārearea.
"They're not afraid of humans... If one is perched on the side of the track you can walk right up to it - they'll look at you and tilt their head.
"Hopefully they are not attacking too many people."
And it's not just the humans that need to watch out.
"I have seen them attack and take Tui, but they are normally just after food."
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