Swamp Harrier on an 'ecological release' - Film

[David Rees <>]

Those familiar with New Zealand birds would know that the Swamp Harrier is the only member of the hawk family currently extant in New Zealand. There were once others, including a huge eagle that hunted Moa (plus children according to Maori tradition) plus several other now extinct harriers. 

There being no Crows (except for a few European Rooks in a few places) and no kites etc in NZ, it basically has the scavenging/hunting thing to itself and has become ubiquitous.  Here we see one doing something I cannot say I've seen one do in Australia - feeding on roadkill, a not uncommon sight in NZ.  Interesting to note that the remains it is feeding on is another animal on an 'ecological release' over there - a Brush-tailed possum!

No real audio on this footage as it was filmed from inside a car - optics not great, but these are very nervy birds when like this.

Filmed recently on visit taken at short notice to NZ.

https://vimeo.com/244778352

More to come...

Regards

David