Falcons Christian Baldenegro Per.2 May 23, 2008

Basic Information Falcons are roughly divisible into three or four groups.The first contains the kestrels usually small and stocky falcons of mainly brown upperside color. Kestrels feed chiefly on terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates of appropriate size, such as rodents, reptiles, or insects. Falcons are roughly divisible into three or four groups.The first contains the kestrels usually small and stocky falcons of mainly brown upperside color. Kestrels feed chiefly on terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates of appropriate size, such as rodents, reptiles, or insects.

Basic info. (cont’d) The second group contains slightly larger (on average) and more elegant species, the hobbies and relatives. These birds are characterized by considerable amounts of dark slaty grey in their plumage. They feed mainly on smaller birds. The second group contains slightly larger (on average) and more elegant species, the hobbies and relatives. These birds are characterized by considerable amounts of dark slaty grey in their plumage. They feed mainly on smaller birds.

Basic info. (cont’d) Third are the Falcon and its relatives: powerful birds, often the size of small hawks. These large Falco feed on mid-sized birds and terrestrial vertebrates, taking prey of up to 5-pound sage grouse size. The tails of the large falcons are quite uniformly dark grey with rather inconspicuous black banding and small white tips. Third are the Falcon and its relatives: powerful birds, often the size of small hawks. These large Falco feed on mid-sized birds and terrestrial vertebrates, taking prey of up to 5-pound sage grouse size. The tails of the large falcons are quite uniformly dark grey with rather inconspicuous black banding and small white tips. One example would be the Peregrine Falcon. The Peregrine Falcon has a body length of 34–50 cm and a wingspan of around 80– 120 cm. The male and female have similar markings and plumage, but as in many birds of prey, the Peregrine Falcon displays marked reverse sexual dimorphism in size, with the female measuring up to 30 percent larger than the male. One example would be the Peregrine Falcon. The Peregrine Falcon has a body length of 34–50 cm and a wingspan of around 80– 120 cm. The male and female have similar markings and plumage, but as in many birds of prey, the Peregrine Falcon displays marked reverse sexual dimorphism in size, with the female measuring up to 30 percent larger than the male.

The Peregrine Falcon

Adaptations The falcon has amazing abilities to fly at the fastest of speeds, but that is only one of the many adaptations of the falcon. Another adaptation is its feet and beak. If it wasn't for the feet and beak, it would starve because the feet and beak help the falcon grab its prey. When this bird is hunting in the air it will use its speed to kill its prey. It can fly up to speeds of 200 miles per hour. Due to the size difference between the male and female they each take different prey species.

Habitats Peregrine Falcons are typically found hunting in open areas, especially along the coast and near other bodies of water that provide habitat for their prey. They nest on cliffs and cliff-like structures, so during the breeding season they are usually found near mountainous or rocky areas, or man-made structures that substitute as cliffs. Peregrine Falcons are typically found hunting in open areas, especially along the coast and near other bodies of water that provide habitat for their prey. They nest on cliffs and cliff-like structures, so during the breeding season they are usually found near mountainous or rocky areas, or man-made structures that substitute as cliffs.

Food chain One of the fiercest avian hunters, the falcon’s diet consists almost entirely of other birds, which it usually captures on the wing, diving as fast as 200 miles per hour to stun the prey with its talons. Its fantastic dives and tight turns also emerge in spectacular courtship displays. They mate in monogamous pairs that may last many breeding seasons. Both males and females show strong attachment to previous nesting sites, and it has been suggested that this preference, rather than investment in the mate, accounts for the long- term pairings. One of the fiercest avian hunters, the falcon’s diet consists almost entirely of other birds, which it usually captures on the wing, diving as fast as 200 miles per hour to stun the prey with its talons. Its fantastic dives and tight turns also emerge in spectacular courtship displays. They mate in monogamous pairs that may last many breeding seasons. Both males and females show strong attachment to previous nesting sites, and it has been suggested that this preference, rather than investment in the mate, accounts for the long- term pairings.