Fast life for little predator

ANDREW GORRIE/Fairfax NZ

Deceptive cutie: This new New Zealand bush falcon will grow up to be among the fastest birds in the world.

ANDREW GORRIE/Fairfax NZ

PROUD MUM? The mother of the latest falcon chick to be born at Staglands.

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One day it will be a fearless predator capable of speeds up to 230kmh, but for now a rare newborn New Zealand falcon chick is just trying to open its eyes - and get out of home before mum eats it.

The chick from the endangered species was born on Sunday at Staglands Wildlife Reserve in Akatarawa Valley, Upper Hutt.

Compared to an estimated 60,000 kiwi in New Zealand, there were just 8000 native falcons, Chris Martin from Staglands said. The latest chick is the first to hatch there in two years.

It was born on Sunday morning and spent the first two days feeding itself on its yolk until its mother took over.

However, the motherly instincts will not last long and, within 20 days, Staglands will start looking for a new home for the chick.

If it stayed in the same aviary as its mother and father  Jet and Alula  they would probably eat it, Mr Martin said.

The sex of the chick had not yet been determined. "[It] still looks like a bit of a blob and struggles to move well."

By Thursday, the chick was trying to move its head and open its eyes a little.

According to the Wingspan Trust, the falcon is the world's fastest bird and had been clocked flying up to 230kmh. It is a fearless predator with eyes eight times more powerful than humans'.

Staglands is looking for a name for the New Zealand falcon chick. Email capitalday@dompost.co.nz to enter your suggestion. The winning name wins a one-year family pass to Staglands.

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rebecca   #3   09:57 am Jan 14 2012

congratulations

wayne   #2   05:05 pm Jan 13 2012

another species on the brink, that someone cares about. a big thank you to those that care for and endeavour in keeping and looking after our endangered and special wildlife :-)

what should it be named ? remember it's sex is yet to be determined !

Sam   #1   04:12 pm Jan 13 2012

What a beauty.

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