 Falcons are any of about 60 species of birds of prey that constitute the family Falconidae in the order Falconiformes, which also includes eagles, hawks, kites, and vultures. The true falcons are typified by a bullet-shaped body; commonly long, pointed wings; a medium to long tail; long toes with sharp, hooked claws; a short neck; and a short, hooked, usually notched bill. They range in size from 15 to 63 cm (6 to 25 in) in length and weigh up to 1.8 kg (4 lb). Coloration may vary widely among the species, but the sexes of any one species are usually similar in appearance, except that the females are larger. Certain species of falcons are also known as hobbies, kestrels, falconets, or the merlin (pigeon hawk); and nine or ten species in four different genera are called caracaras. In falconry, only the female peregrine (duck hawk), Falco peregrinus, is properly called a falcon; in strict falconry usage the term may be applied to other birds only in combination with additional descriptive words. Similarly, the male peregrine is called a tiercel, but the name may be applied to other male falcons with suitable qualifying terms.
Falcons are strong, fast fliers with great aerial agility. They seldom soar in the manner of hawks. The peregrine has been clocked at 290 km/h (180 mph) in a stoop, or dive. This speed and agility make falcons successful hunters of birds, reptiles, and small mammals. A number of species, however, are insectivorous or eaters of carrion. Although falcons strike or grasp their prey with their sharp claws, they generally kill the captured prey with their beaks. The short-winged hawks kill with their claws.
Falcons are usually solitary or live in pairs. They nest in trees or on cliffs and will often occupy the nests of other species of birds. Females generally lay two to six eggs, and both the male and female incubate the eggs and care for the young. The falcon passes through four distinct periods during its life cycle. The length of each period varies among the species and with the size of the birds. The nestling period occupies the time from hatching to first flight. During this time the young bird grows rapidly and gains all its feathers. The post-nestling stage is the fledgling. During this period the parents hunt food for the young falcon. When the bird leaves the nest to be on its own, it is considered a juvenile. The juvenile period lasts until the falcon reaches sexual maturity, when it is considered an adult. Falcons seldom live more than 20 years.
The falcons' only serious enemy is humankind. For many years falcons were considered vermin because they were thought to exact a heavy toll on chickens and other livestock. In recent times pesticides have been responsible for decimating and endangering several species. Research has shown that organochlorine pesticides (DDT, dieldrin) reduce the ability of certain birds to produce sufficient calcium for their eggs; consequently, the eggs are thin shelled and extremely susceptible to breakage. At least one of the living species is considered endangered, the Seychelles kestrel, F. araea, and one other species, the Mauritius kestrel, F. punctatus, may be extinct.
The earliest fossil record of the falcon family is from the Miocene Epoch of Argentina, about 15 million years ago. There are 11 known fossil species. |
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