Information
Falcons
are renowned for their speed, grace, and beauty. Falcons
are distinguished from other birds of prey by a toothlike
projection near the tip of the upper half of the beak.
Generally smaller and more streamlined than the hawks,
they have small heads, firm compact plumage, and long
pointed wings - adaptations that allow them to fly at
great speed. In flight they use quick, powerful wing
strokes. Their strong, hooked beak and powerful talons
mark the falcons as highly specialized predators. The
Falcon's speed and size make it an excellent hunter,
able to take some of the larger birds. The long-winged
raptor specializes in direct pursuit in the open and
thus favours non-forested areas in which to hunt, particularly
shores, marshes, river valleys, open moors, and tundra.
Even though its level speed of flight exceeds that of
most birds, the Falcon takes advantage of height from
which to launch its attack. The top speed of its dives
(stoops) at prey is estimated at well over 300 km/h.
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