Notornis, 44 (4), 213-218
Article Type: paper
Six nest sites of New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) breeding in a mixed podocarp hardwood forest are described. All nest scrapes were located in Collospermum hastatum epiphytes on emergent. Nest height was about twice the height of the surrounding canopy. All but one nest trees were alive and appeared to be in good health. The large diameter (mean at breast height: 105 cm) and the height of nest trees (mean 36 m) indicated that falcons selected older trees in the forest. Nests tended to be located mid- slope or towards a gully and of northerly aspect. Management of New Zealand falcon habitats should involve the maintenance of adequate emergent trees in forests, from which falcons can select appropriate nest sites.