"falcon ectoparasites are chewing lice, ""Ceratophyllus garei"" (a flea), and Hippoboscidae flies (""Icosta nigra"", ""Ornithoctona erythrocephala""). The peregrine falcon feeds almost exclusively on medium-sized birds such as pigeons and doves, waterfowl, songbirds, and waders. Worldwide, it is estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 bird species (up to roughly a fifth of the world's bird species) are predated somewhere by these falcons. In North America, prey has varied in size from hummingbirds (""Selasphorus"" and ""Archilochus"" ssp.) to a sandhill crane (killed in Alaska by a peregrine in a stoop), although most prey taken by peregrines weigh from (small passerines) to (such"
"was falconry. Falconry was the training of falcons and hawks for personal usage, which included hunting game. Falcons and hawks have different physical makeups which changed their mode of hunting. Ducks, herons, and cranes were the common game hunted by falcons and hawks. The main differences between the two species of birds lies in their wings and tails. Falcons have long, narrow wings with a long tapered tail. As a result, they fly at incredibly high levels. To kill game, they elevate high up in the sky and then dive bomb at their target. Their dives can go up to"
"the females typically larger than the males, thus allowing a wider range of prey species. Some small falcons with long, narrow wings are called ""hobbies"" and some which hover while hunting are called ""kestrels"". As is the case with many birds of prey, falcons have exceptional powers of vision; the visual acuity of one species has been measured at 2.6 times that of a normal human. Peregrine falcons have been recorded diving at speeds of 200 miles per hour (320 km/h), making them the fastest-moving creatures on Earth. The fastest recorded dive for one is 390 km/h. The Late Latin"
"The speed of descent is controlled by the angle at which the wings are held above the back. At the point of impact, it shoots its long legs forward, often killing victims on impact somewhat like large falcons often dispatch their prey. Prey may often be spotted from away with a record of about . On occasion, they may still-hunt from a high perch or concealed in vegetation near watering holes. If the initial attempt fails, they may swoop around to attempt again, especially if the intended victim is not dangerous. If the quarry is potentially hazardous, such as mammalian"
"with a lure for sport, or released into the wild. If the purpose of the hack is to prepare the raptor to be in the wild then the reserve hopes that the falcons will come back in a few years to nest there. Falconry has been a hunting sport since 2000 BC originating in ancient China and Egypt and since then the technique of hacking has been used and evolved. The term “hacking,” however, was not coined until the Elizabethan era. During that period, falconers brought a “hack,” an old English word for a type of wagon, to a hilltop"
"Falconry Falconry is the hunting of wild animals in their natural state and habitat by means of a trained bird of prey. There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer (German origin) flies a hawk (""Accipiter"" and some buteos and similar) or an eagle (""Aquila"" or similar). In modern falconry, the red-tailed hawk (""Buteo jamaicensis""), the Harris's hawk (""Parabuteo unicinctus""), and the peregrine falcon (""Falco perigrinus"") are some of the more commonly used birds of prey. The practice of hunting with a conditioned falconry bird is also called"
"in pursuit of prey that seeks to escape by out-climbing them, and perform high speed diving stoops on prey beneath them in the manner of larger falcons. Quoting from one popular falconry book on the eagerness of merlins to chase a swung lure, ""Every stoop, outrun, dodge, and aerial maneuver of a hard flight to real quarry can be duplicated with no risk of loss of the falcon. Merlins regularly flown to the lure take most field quarries with such ease and such assurance as to make the field flight the less interesting and exciting of the two."" Quoting expert"
"and being so hard-muscled that inexperienced falcons can easily be injured in striking them in a high-speed stoop. It takes a skilled falcon that knows how to forcefully but carefully and accurately strike them in the head or wing to bring them down cleanly. For this difficult prey experienced falconers usually prefer larger peregrine females, gyrfalcons, or gyr-peregrine hybrids, though some female prairie falcons do master the art of bringing down larger game. Proper training for prairie falcons includes providing abundant food when raising them (to avoid them developing the habit of screaming for food), and extensive ""manning"" (close contact"
"train. The peregrine falcon has the additional advantage of a natural flight style of circling above the falconer (""waiting on"") for game to be flushed, and then performing an effective and exciting high-speed diving stoop to take the quarry. The speed of the stoop not only allows the falcon to catch fast flying birds, it also enhances the falcon's ability to exert maneuvers to catch highly agile prey, and allows the falcon to deliver a knock out blow with a fist-like clenched talon against game that may be much larger than itself. Additionally the versatility of the species, with agility"
"peregrine falcons flown against the red grouse, or merlins in ""ringing"" flights after skylarks. Rooks and crows are classic game for the larger falcons, and the magpie, making up in cunning what it lacks in flying ability, is another common target. Short-wings can be flown in both open and wooded country against a variety of bird and small mammal prey. Most hunting with large falcons requires large open tracts where the falcon is afforded opportunity to strike or seize its quarry before it reaches cover. Most of Europe practices similar styles of falconry, but with differing degrees of regulation. Medieval"
"Kestrel The name kestrel (from French ""crécerelle"", derivative from ""crécelle"", i.e. ratchet) is given to several different members of the falcon genus, ""Falco"". Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around over open country and swoop down on prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects. Other falcons are more adapted to active hunting in flight. In addition, kestrels are notable for usually having mostly brown in their plumage. Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the"
"bite. Laughing falcon The laughing falcon (""Herpetotheres cachinnans""), also called the snake hawk (erroneously, since it is not a hawk), is a medium-sized bird of prey in the falcon family (Falconidae), the only member of the genus Herpetotheres. This Neotropical species is a specialist snake-eater. Its common and scientific names both refer to its distinctive voice. Its English name comes from its loud voice, as does the specific name ""cachinnans"", Latin for ""laughing aloud"" or ""laughing immoderately"". The generic name ""Herpetotheres"" refers to its preferred food; it is Latinized Ancient Greek, derived from ""[h]erpeton"" (ἑρπετόν, ""reptile"") + ""therizein"" (θερίζειν, ""to"
"are many different types of falcon. The falcons are the largest genus in the Falconinae subfamily of Falconidae, which itself also includes another subfamily comprising caracaras and a few other species. All these birds kill with their beaks, using a ""tooth"" on the side of their beaks—unlike the hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey in the Accipitridae, which use their feet. The largest falcon is the gyrfalcon at up to 65 cm in length. The smallest falcons are the kestrels, of which the Seychelles kestrel measures just 25 cm. As with hawks and owls, falcons exhibit sexual dimorphism, with"
"Laughing falcon The laughing falcon (""Herpetotheres cachinnans""), also called the snake hawk (erroneously, since it is not a hawk), is a medium-sized bird of prey in the falcon family (Falconidae), the only member of the genus Herpetotheres. This Neotropical species is a specialist snake-eater. Its common and scientific names both refer to its distinctive voice. Its English name comes from its loud voice, as does the specific name ""cachinnans"", Latin for ""laughing aloud"" or ""laughing immoderately"". The generic name ""Herpetotheres"" refers to its preferred food; it is Latinized Ancient Greek, derived from ""[h]erpeton"" (ἑρπετόν, ""reptile"") + ""therizein"" (θερίζειν, ""to mow"
"Hack (falconry) Hacking is a training method that helps young falcons reach their hunting potential by giving them exercise and experience. This technique is used to prepare the falcon to become an independent hunter. The sequence of the procedure includes captivity, releasing, flight, and either the falcon will be recaptured for falconry or released into the wild. This has also been adapted to other raptor species to preserve the population. Generally, falconers agree that hacked falcons are better and more preferred in the field. Hacking is beneficial, not only for the falconers, but for the bird itself and the species;"
"Hack (falconry) Hacking is a training method that helps young falcons reach their hunting potential by giving them exercise and experience. This technique is used to prepare the falcon to become an independent hunter. The sequence of the procedure includes captivity, releasing, flight, and either the falcon will be recaptured for falconry or released into the wild. This has also been adapted to other raptor species to preserve the population. Generally, falconers agree that hacked falcons are better and more preferred in the field. Hacking is beneficial, not only for the falconers, but for the bird itself and the species;"
"""falco"" is from Late Latin ""falx"", ""falcis"", a sickle, referring to the claws of the bird. The species name ""eleonorae"" again commemorates the Sardinian Eleanor of Arborea, who passed a law protecting nesting hawks and falcons. Eleonora's falcon is an elegant bird of prey, long with an wingspan. It is shaped like a large Eurasian hobby or a small slender peregrine falcon, with its long pointed wings, long tail and slim body. There are two colour morphs: The adult dark morph is all sooty brown, with black underwing coverts. The light morph is more like a juvenile Eurasian hobby, but"
"200 mph. They utilized their talons on the downward dive to slash game. Usually their strikes kill the game with the first slash. Hawks, however, have shorter, rounder wings and longer tails. They glide along at lower altitudes. To kill their game, they glide toward their target and then use a burst of speed to close in. They utilize their talons to dig in and clutch onto their game until it is dead. As a result of their makeups, falcons and hawks were utilized by owners for different terrains. Falcons were used in open fields while hawks were used in"
"Turul The Turul is a mythological bird of prey, mostly depicted as a hawk or falcon, in Hungarian tradition and a national symbol of modern Hungary and Transylvania (now part of Romania). The Turul is probably based on a large falcon, and the origin of the word is most likely Turkic: ""togrıl"" or ""turgul"" means a medium to large bird of prey of the family Accipitridae, goshawk or red kite. In Hungarian the word ""sólyom"" means falcon, and there are three ancient words describing different kinds of falcons: ""kerecsen"" [Greek κερχνηίς] (saker falcon), ""zongor"" [Turkish ""sungur"" = gyrfalcon] (which survives"
"falcon appear in some respects intermediate between the kestrels and the typical hobbies. These species are tentatively placed here: Hobby (bird) A hobby is a fairly small, very swift falcon with long, narrow wings. There are four birds called ""hobby"", and some others which, although termed ""falcon"", are very similar. All specialise in being superb aerialists. Although they take prey on the ground if the opportunity presents itself, most prey is caught on the wing; insects are often caught by hawking, and many different birds are caught in flight, where even the quick maneuvering swifts and swallows cannot escape a"
"Merlin (bird) The merlin (""Falco columbarius"") is a small species of falcon from the Northern Hemisphere, with numerous subspecies throughout North America and Eurasia. A bird of prey once known colloquially as a pigeon hawk in North America, the merlin breeds in the northern Holarctic; some migrate to subtropical and northern tropical regions in winter. Males typically have wingspans of , with females being slightly larger. They are swift fliers and skilled hunters who specialize in preying on small birds in the size range of sparrows to quail. The merlin has for centuries been well regarded as a falconry bird."
"sport of falconry, where a bird of prey is perched on the arm of the falconer. By convention, ""hawk"" combined with a term for a geographic feature forms a kenning for ""arm."" Fýrisvalla fræ, ""gold"", from ""Fýrisvellir"", the plains of the river Fýri, and ""fræ"", ""seed."" This is an allusion to a legend retold in ""Skáldskaparmál"" and ""Hrólfs saga kraka"" in which King Hrolf and his men scattered gold on the plains (""vellir"") of the river Fýri south of Gamla Uppsala to delay their pursuers. Fróða fáglýjaðra þýja meldr, ""flour of Fróði's hapless slaves"", is another kenning for ""gold."" It"
"Jaculus The jaculus (or iaculus, pl. ""jaculi"", meaning ""thrown"" in Latin) is a small mythical serpent or dragon. It can be shown with wings and sometimes has front legs. It is also sometimes known as the javelin snake. It was said that the jaculus hid in the trees and sprang out at its victims. The force of it launching itself at the victim led to the association with javelins. Pliny described it as follows: ""The jaculus darts from the branches of trees; and it is not only to our feet that the serpent is formidable, for these fly through the"
"name of the ""falcon"". The Eocene fossil """"Falco"" falconellus"" (or """"F."" falconella"") from Wyoming is a bird of uncertain affiliations, maybe a falconid, maybe not; it certainly does not belong in this genus. """"Falco"" readei"" is now considered a paleosubspecies of the yellow-headed caracara (""Milvago chimachima""). Falcon Falcons () are birds of prey in the genus ""Falco"", which includes about 40 species. Falcons are widely distributed on all continents of the world except Antarctica, though closely related raptors did occur there in the Eocene. Adult falcons have thin, tapered wings, which enable them to fly at high speed and change"
"observed following maned wolves (""Chrysocyon brachyurus"") and chasing birds that the wolves flush. Prey items typically weigh one-fifth to one-half of the falcons' own weight, but females of this species (which due to their size can tackle larger prey) have been recorded eating birds larger than themselves, such as a cattle egret (""Bulbucus ibis"") or a plain chachalaca (""Ortalis vetula""), on rare occasions. The nest is a platform built of sticks at any height in a bush or tree. Two or three eggs are laid. Until the 1950s it was found in the extreme southwestern United States, and reintroduction efforts"
"and sharp-shinned hawk catch their prey by flying from cover in a tree or bush, taking their prey unawares. In contrast, the lanner falcon hunts in open country taking birds by horizontal pursuit. The aplomado falcon will use both ambush and more extended flights. The peregrine falcon dives on flying birds from a great height at speeds that can exceed 300 km/h. The extinct Haast's eagle of New Zealand preyed on the large flightless bird species of the region such as the moa. In certain biotopes, birds constitute the bulk of the diet of various carnivorans, e.g., of adult leopard"
"natural contours to surprise and ambush prey on the ground, have been reported and even rare cases of prey being pursued on foot. In addition, peregrines have been documented preying on chicks in nests, from birds such as kittiwakes. Prey is plucked before consumption. A recent study showed the presence of peregrines benefits non-preferred species while at the same time causing a decline in its preferred prey. As of 2018, the fastest recorded falcon was at 242 mph (nearly 390 km/h). Researchers at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and at Oxford University used 3D computer simulations in 2018"
"Lanner falcon The lanner falcon (""Falco biarmicus"") is a medium-sized bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia. It prefers open habitat and is mainly resident, but some birds disperse more widely after the breeding season. A large falcon, it preys on birds and bats. The lanner falcon was described by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1825 under the current binomial name ""Falco biarmicus"". The type locality is Caffraria and the Cape of Good Hope. ""Falco"" is Late Latin for a ""falcon"", from ""falx"", ""falcis"" ""sickle"". The Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus had used"
"and handling) when training them. Unlike the peregrine, they do not respond well to training with the swung lure, as missing the lure brings out their impatience. Teaching prairie falcons to climb and “wait on” to stoop on game is best accomplished by a reward system of flushing game or serving live birds such as pigeons for the falcon to chase when the falcon has assumed the proper position several hundred feet or more above the falconer. The prairie falcon’s eagerness to hunt and chase requires that it be patiently taught that when it assumes the proper waiting on position"
"him to a nearby forest despite not being able to fly at the time. Parahawking Parahawking is an activity that combines paragliding with falconry. Birds of prey are trained to fly with paragliders, guiding them to thermals. Parahawking was developed by British falconer Scott Mason in 2001. Mason began a round-the-world trip in Pokhara, Nepal, where many birds of prey – such as the griffon vulture, steppe eagle and black kite – can be found. While taking a tandem paragliding flight with British paraglider Adam Hill, he had the opportunity to see raptors in flight, and realised that he could"
"in its downy stage, is known as an eyas (sometimes spelled eyass). The word arose by mistaken division of Old French ""un niais"", from Latin presumed ""nidiscus"" (nestling) from ""nidus"" (nest). The technique of hunting with trained captive birds of prey is known as falconry. Compared to other birds of prey, the fossil record of the falcons is not well distributed in time. The oldest fossils tentatively assigned to this genus are from the Late Miocene, less than 10 million years ago. This coincides with a period in which many modern genera of birds became recognizable in the fossil record."
"and predator mobility. During the sardine run, as many as 18,000 dolphins, behaving like sheepdogs, herd the sardines into bait balls, or corral them in shallow water. Once rounded up, the dolphins and other predators take turns ploughing through the bait balls, gorging on the fish as they sweep through. Seabirds also attack them from above, flocks of gannets, cormorants, terns and gulls. Some of these seabirds plummet from heights of 30 metres (100 feet), plunging through the water leaving vapour-like trails, similar to that of fighter planes. Gannets plunge into the water at up to 100 kilometres per hour"
"fledging, at which time the female leaves the nest to hunt for them too. Multiple broods are raised in good seasons. Nankeen kestrel Nankeen kestrel, species Falco cenchroides, is one of the smallest falcons, and unlike many, does not rely on speed to catch its prey. Instead, it simply perches in an exposed position, but it also has a distinctive technique of hovering over crop and grasslands. A small, slim falcon (about long), the nankeen kestrel is rufous or brown above and white or off-white below, with a black tail tip. Plumage varies considerably in detail, and some birds can"