![]() ![]() There are a variety of different Falcon species in zoos and aquariums. It is illegal to own, harass, capture, or kill a Falcon without the proper permits. You must also have several years of experience in Falconry before you can apply for permits yourself. Owning one requires many different permits, forms, and caging inspections. ![]() DomesticationĮven though these birds are used in Falconry, humans have not domesticated them in any way. Habitat destruction is by far the greatest threat, but car collisions, poisoning, pollution, electrocution, and illegal hunting all impact these birds. Some species suffer heavily from habitat destruction or pollution, while others have stronger populations. The extent of this impact on a given population varies greatly from species to species. However, human activity negatively impacts most wild Falcons. Humans use many different species of Falcons in Falconry (hence the name, Falconry). Human interaction with these birds varies drastically from species to species. When a Falcon catches its prey, it uses its beak to kill it, while hawks use their powerful talons. ![]() Falcons are more agile on the wing, while hawks have broader wings that cannot maneuver as well. The easiest way to tell the difference between a hawk and a Falcon is by observing their hunting behavior. Hawks and Falcons are quite similar looking birds, but they are not closely related genetically. Some of the different types of prey that they hunt include birds, mice, rats, rabbits, voles, gulls, other raptors, snakes, fish, insects, frogs, and more. They hunt on the wing, either by diving to snatch prey off the ground, or by soaring after their prey in the air. Some species do specialize on just a few types of prey, but most eat a wide variety of foods. Different species hunt different types of prey, but most are opportunists and hunt whatever is easiest for them to catch. Diet of the Falconįalcons are carnivores, which means that their diet is primarily composed of meat. Each species has its own range, though many species have overlapping populations. Species diversity is much higher throughout South America and Africa than it is across the rest of their range. These birds live throughout North, Central, and South America, as well as Eurasia, Africa, Australia, and the surrounding islands. The only areas that these birds do not inhabit are the northernmost reaches of the Arctic Circle, and Antarctica. Distribution of the Falconĭifferent species of Falcons live across nearly every landmass on earth. Habitat preference varies from species to species, though many species share habitat types. Some species thrive in more urban areas, like farms, parks, gardens, and even busy cities. Some of the different ecosystems that these birds utilize include grasslands, wetlands, mountains, forests, estuaries, taiga, estuaries, scrublands, and more. They inhabit everything from desert to Arctic tundra. These birds live in a huge variety of habitats across the globe. Some of their greatest threats are habitat destruction and collisions with power lines resulting in electrocution. Sadly, this species is threatened with extinction, and the IUCN lists Saker Falcons as Endangered. Saker Falcon – These birds live throughout northern Africa, parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.During a dive, this bird sometimes exceeds 200 mph or more! They use these dives to capture their prey before it knows what hit it. Though they are fast on the wing, they reach their top speeds while diving. Peregrine Falcon – This species is the fastest animal on earth.They are 2 feet long, and some individuals weigh over 4 Because they are so large, these birds can hunt a wide variety of prey, from rabbits and gulls to other birds of prey. GyrFalcon – On the opposite side of the size spectrum is the GyrFalcon, which is the largest species in the family.Like many species endemic to islands, the IUCN lists the Seychelles kestrel as Vulnerable to extinction. These little birds live only on the Seychelles Islands off the coast of Africa. Seychelles Kestrel – This species is the smallest of the Falcons, at just 10 inches long on average.Below, we highlight a few of the most interesting species in the Falcon family. There are many different species of Falcons, and each is different from the next. At their heaviest, these birds exceed 4 pounds, while the smallest species weigh just one ounce! Interesting Facts About the Falcon The smallest species is just 10 inches long, while the largest is 24 inches long. As birds of prey go, they are relatively large, though some species are quite small. ![]()
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