Kehaar Character Analysis in Watership Down

A “foreign” gull who migrates inland from the “Peeg Vater” (Big Water, or the ocean) and, while nursing a wing injury, is discovered by Hazel’s band of rabbits. The rabbits help nurse Kehaar back to health, knowing that his help may come in handy during their journey. Kehaar becomes a good friend to the rabbits, and is instrumental in helping them scout out paths through the countryside, keep tabs on their surroundings, survive their conflicts with the Efrafans, and successfully rescue a group of does from the militaristic, dangerous warren.

Kehaar Quotes in Watership Down

The Watership Down quotes below are all either spoken by Kehaar or refer to Kehaar. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Scribner edition of Watership Down published in 1972.

Sights and feelings swirled through Bigwig as though in a dream. The things that were happening no longer seemed connected by anything except his own dazed senses. He heard Kehaar screaming as he dived again to attack Vervain. He felt the rain pouring cold into the open gash in his shoulder. Through the curtain of rain he glimpsed Woundwort dodging among his officers and urging them back into the ditch on the edge of the field. He saw Blackavar striking at Campion and Campion turning to run. Then someone beside him was saying, “Hullo, Bigwig. Bigwig! Bigwig! What do you want us to do?”

Related Characters: , , , , ,

Page Number and Citation: 360

Explanation and Analysis:

Kehaar Character Timeline in Watership Down

The timeline below shows where the character Kehaar appears in Watership Down. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the “earth stops” at a “vast place of water.” The bird’s name, Bigwig says, is Kehaar—the noise the water makes—and he longs to rejoin his flock as soon as he’s healed. (full context)

...and Silver for a talk, and tells them that he had been hoping to restore Kehaar to health so that the bird could, one day soon, scout out some neighboring warrens... (full context)

Over the next few days, the rabbits work extra-hard at catching insects to feed to Kehaar. One day, Bigwig approaches Hazel and tells him Kehaar would like to speak to him.... (full context)

Kehaar sets off in flight and is gone for several days. Hazel begins wondering if Kehaar... (full context)

...others that he does not want to leave this warren and join the faraway one Kehaar saw—rather, he wants to go there and bring some does back. Large warrens, he knows,... (full context)

A few days later, things are looking good. Kehaar has confirmed that Holly and the others are on the right course, and, meanwhile, back... (full context)

...sleeping and Fiver feeding. Bigwig spends the night guarding his friend, and in the morning, Kehaar returns. They tell the bird what has happened, and Kehaar volunteers to get the “liddle... (full context)

Authoritarianism vs. Democracy Theme Icon

...citing their loyalty to Hazel. Blackberry scurries down into the Honeycomb—he has been talking with Kehaar, and they have created a plan which will leave General Woundwort looking “remarkably silly.” Bluebell... (full context)

Hazel concludes the meeting and heads up to talk to Kehaar. He asks if Kehaar really means to help them get the does out of Efrafa—Kehaar... (full context)

On the other side of the woods, the rabbits meet up with Kehaar. Hazel asks him to fly on their behalf and seek out a place to hide... (full context)

...make it across without difficulty. As they feed in the grass on the other side, Kehaar approaches and warns them that a Wide Patrol is nearby. Hazel urges them all into... (full context)

...He hopes it is not too much further to the river. He asks Pipkin where Kehaar has gone, and Pipkin replies that Kehaar has gone out on a scouting mission to... (full context)

Kehaar returns and reports that there are no wide patrols across the train tracks, and that... (full context)

Kehaar comes over and points out a bridge where the group can cross the river. Though... (full context)

...The area is damp, verdant, and full of great cover. As the day goes by, Kehaar asks what the group is waiting for, and why they have not put their plan... (full context)

...of the water and has within it the scent of flayrah. When the rabbits ask Kehaar what it could be, they tell him it is a “poat”—he has seen many of... (full context)

...waste. He tells Bigwig to head for Efrafa and reminds him to send word by Kehaar of what he needs them to do—they will be ready to back him up at... (full context)

...Hyzenthlay that he is from their warren, and explains their whole journey and mission, including Kehaar’s role in it. At the end of his tale, Hyzenthlay tells Bigwig that she believes... (full context)

...make it away with the poor rabbit in tow. As he looks around he spots Kehaar in the grass, and slowly, inconspicuously makes his way over to the bird. They converse... (full context)

Chervil approaches, and as he does, Kehaar flies away. Chervil asks why Bigwig was taking a risk getting so close to a... (full context)

...Hyzenthlay. She is with Thethuthinnang, and he informs them of the plan he’s made with Kehaar. He urges them to get the does together at the start of silflay later in... (full context)

Out in the field, Hazel, Fiver, Kehaar, and the others wonder why Bigwig is not in place for the plan to unfold.... (full context)

...thorn stuck in his paw, but as Chervil starts to examine Bigwig’s foot, he spots Kehaar again. He orders Bigwig to keep away from the bird. Bigwig tells Chervil that the... (full context)

...tries to imagine what is going on in Efrafa. He goes over Bigwig’s report with Kehaar again and again, fretting about how the weather will affect the plan. Silver insists that... (full context)

...the does to a nearby hedge—as they approach the meeting-place, Bigwig prays that Hazel and Kehaar will be waiting. (full context)

Bigwig comes to the iron road but sees no sign of Hazel or Kehaar. He feels troubled and can see that the does—confused that the plan they were informed... (full context)

At that moment, Bigwig hears the sound of Kehaar’s call—within seconds, Kehaar is on Woundwort, striking and wounding him. Bigwig feels dazed and dreamy,... (full context)

...tail and are attempting to head them off before they reach the river. Bigwig tells Kehaar to fly ahead and see if he can spot them—he returns quickly to announce they... (full context)

...Woundwort begins giving his men orders. Bigwig distracts them by pretending to catch sight of Kehaar in the sky—when they all look up, Dandelion rushes onto the boat, and Hazel snaps... (full context)

Kehaar appears and points out that there is a bridge up ahead—unable to steer the boat,... (full context)

Kehaar urges the rabbits to jump into the river and swim. Though they are afraid, Kehaar... (full context)

...lament her death, and Hazel begins to worry about the fate of the group. With Kehaar soon to leave, Bigwig’s injury, and his own bad leg, he worries that the burden... (full context)

Hazel and Bigwig approach Kehaar, who announces that he is going to take off for the “Peeg Vater.” They thank... (full context)

After saying goodbye to Kehaar, the rabbits begin making their way north. Bigwig and Hazel are both slowed by their... (full context)

...of the hill, Woundwort is stationed with his soldiers. He has lost some authority since Kehaar’s attack and the rabbits’ escape on the boat and has had to fight against his... (full context)

...and hardly conscious, Hazel tells him how proud he is of him. Bigwig jokes, in Kehaar’s accent, that he has “finish Meester Voundvort,” and Hazel helps him up to silflay. Bigwig,... (full context)

...Efrafans. Though Holly wonders if this will be difficult arrange, Hazel is confident that once Kehaar returns from the Big Water, he will be happy to carry the message quickly. (full context)