Birds of New Zealand 63

New Zealand Falcon – Bird of the Year 2025

A breathtaking portrait of the New Zealand falcon (kārearea) soaring across the dramatic landscapes of the Southern Alps. Its powerful wings stretch wide, every feather catching the golden light of a moody alpine sunset. With piercing yellow-ringed eyes and talons poised, the falcon dominates the rugged scene of tussock valleys and snow-capped peaks. Newly crowned Bird of the Year by Forest & Bird, the kārearea embodies speed, agility, and the wild spirit of Aotearoa. This cinematic image captures both the majesty of the mountains and the fierce beauty of New Zealand’s only endemic falcon.