From fluffy chicks to fearless

They'll be fast-flying fearsome predators one day, but for now, these newly-hatched endangered falcons will have to put up with being cute.

Three endangered karearea (New Zealand falcon) chicks hatched this week at Wingspan, the National Bird of Prey Centre in Rotorua. Next month, they'll be transferred to a nesting box on the roof of Rotorua Museum, before being set free.

This landmark initiative, between Rotorua Museum and Wingspan, will be the first urban release, not just of the New Zealand falcon, but of any endangered species in New Zealand.