In New Zealand, it is also known by the Māori name kāhu. It arrived in New Zealand within the last 700 years, replacing the larger species, the extinct New Zealand endemic Eyles's harrier. The swamp harrier belongs to the subfamily Circinae and genus Circus, which are represented worldwide, except Antarctica.

The swamp harrier is a large, tawny-brown bird of prey that occurs throughout New Zealand. It is an opportunistic hunter that searches for food by slowly quartering the ground with its large wings held in a distinctive shallow V-shape.

Kahu, the harrier hawk, Circus approximans, found in New Zealand Birds' bird gallery section, includes general information about the bird, taxonomy, description, where to find them and other useful and interesting information.

Māori have many names for the Swamp Harrier including: kāhu, kōrako and kērangi. Others know the harrier as the hawk or Australasian harrier. What do Harriers Eat?

It can be easy to confuse a NZ falcon (kārearea) with a Swamp harrier (kāhu). At first glance they can appear similar, due to having a similar shape and colouring – but look a little closer and the differences are great. The greatest difference is of course the numbers of each bird. The kāhu is found in abundant numbers throughout New Zealand.

The swamp harrier (Circus approximans), also known as the kāhu, harrier hawk or Australasian harrier, is a bird of the open country. It is often seen soaring and looking for prey, or eating dead rabbits or possums on the road.

Whether it be soaring and gliding high over a backcountry ridge or gently winging its way along a main highway searching for roadkill, the sight of a harrier hawk/kahu is common in New Zealand. Also known as a ‘swamp harrier’, it is a native species.

Kāhu (swamp harrier or harrier hawk) are often seen as they soar on air currents above open countryside, eyes scanning the air and ground below them for food. They will feed on road kill as well as catching insects, small birds and animals.

Kahu (Swamp Harrier) The swamp harrier is a large, tawny-brown bird of prey that occurs throughout New Zealand. It is an opportunistic hunter that searches for food by slowly quartering the ground with its large wings held in a distinctive shallow V-shape.

Aug 21, 2009 · But Kahu, the harrier hawk, does not rest its popularity on tugged heart strings, nor does it care for endangered lists – if anything it creates them. Kahu isn’t the kind of bird to wait for crumbs from your table.