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Falcons are a family group that includes true falcons, forest falcons, Caracaras, and falconets. This family is
falconidae. They are small to medium sized birds. They have long wings and tails, similar to kites but falcons hold
more power. They are very fast, the peregrine falcon is the fastest animal in the world. It can reach up to 200
miles per hour or more while in a dive. They eat mainly birds, the smaller species will take small rodents, reptiles
and insects. Caracaras do eat carrion on occasion. Falcons perfer to nest in cliffs or abandoned nests of other birds. Many
falcons are very commonly used in falconry because of their natural hunting abilities. This sport is thought to
have origionated in prehistoric times. Falcons and hawks are very different, although they are classified in to
the same order. They are built for extreme speed. Their role in the food chain is the same as other raptors though,
they are at the very top. They live on every continent except, you got it, Antarctica in fact there is no raptor currently
living in Antarctica or the Arctic ice sheets. The smallest raptor in the world is a falcon, the Black-thighed falconet (Microhierax
fringillarius), with a wingspan that is only .8 feet and weigh less than 2 ounces. Small species of raptors must consume
more food in proportion to body size than larger species such as eagles. Small raptors must eat 20-25 percent of their body
weight every day to survive, while large eagles can survive on less than five percent of their body weight in food per
day. This is because smaller birds have higher matabolic rates than larger birds do. But climate, location, and the time of
year also affect the amount of food needed. There are 7 North American species: the Crested Caracara, American Kestrel, Aplomado
Falcon, Merlin, Prairie Falcon, Gyrfalcon, and the Peregrine Falcon. There are also some vagrant species of falcons to North
America: the Collared Forest-falcon, Common Kestrel (Eurasian Kestrel), and the Northern Hobby.
Individual Species Pages:
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An African Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus)
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An American Kestrel (Falco sparvarius)
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