Falcons are swift and powerful birds of prey known for their impressive speed, keen eyesight, and exceptional hunting abilities. They belong to a group of raptors that are characterized by their hooked beaks, sharp talons, and remarkable aerial agility. These birds are found on every continent except Antarctica and thrive in a wide variety of environments, from deserts and mountains to cities and coastlines.
One of the most striking features of falcons is their speed in flight. They are built for high-speed pursuits, with long, pointed wings and streamlined bodies that reduce air resistance. Their flight style is distinct—fast, direct, and often accompanied by sudden, acrobatic maneuvers as they chase down prey in mid-air.
Falcons primarily hunt other birds, though their diet can also include small mammals, insects, and even reptiles. They use their sharp talons to capture prey and their notched beaks to deliver a precise killing bite. Unlike some other birds of prey that rely on brute strength, falcons tend to use surprise and precision to make quick, efficient kills.
These raptors are solitary for much of the year, especially outside of breeding season. When it comes time to nest, they often choose high, open perches like cliffs, tall trees, or even skyscrapers. Falcons typically do not build elaborate nests but instead lay their eggs in simple scrapes on ledges or other flat surfaces.
Falcons have excellent vision, capable of spotting prey from great distances. Their eyes are specially adapted for tracking movement and seeing fine details, which is crucial during high-speed chases. This visual acuity plays a major role in their hunting success and overall survival.
Many falcons are migratory, traveling long distances between breeding and wintering grounds. These migrations are impressive feats of endurance, often spanning thousands of miles across varied terrain and weather conditions. Their ability to navigate and adapt during such journeys is a testament to their resilience and skill.
Throughout history, falcons have held a special place in human culture. They have been revered symbols of power and grace, featured in mythology, royal emblems, and the ancient practice of falconry. Today, they continue to captivate bird enthusiasts and scientists alike, not only for their beauty but also for their role in ecosystems as highly specialized and effective predators.
Types of Falcons
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Known as the fastest bird in the world, the Peregrine Falcon can dive at speeds over 200 mph. It has a blue-gray back, a black head, and a distinct dark “moustache” mark. It is found nearly worldwide, nesting on cliffs and tall structures in both natural and urban environments.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
This small, colorful falcon has a rusty back, spotted chest, and blue-gray wings (in males). It is widespread across North and South America and is often seen perched on wires or hovering above fields hunting insects and small rodents.
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
A small, robust falcon with dark streaking on a pale chest and a blue-gray back (in males), the Merlin is found across the Northern Hemisphere. It breeds in forests and tundra and migrates to southern regions in winter.
Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)
The largest falcon species, the Gyrfalcon comes in a variety of colors from white to dark gray. It breeds in the Arctic and is a powerful hunter of large birds and mammals. In winter, it moves to more southern regions.
Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus)
Native to Africa and parts of southern Europe and Asia, the Lanner Falcon has a brownish back, pale underparts, and a white throat with a dark mustache. It is often seen in open country and is used in falconry.
Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug)
This large falcon is found in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East. It has brown plumage with pale underparts and is known for hunting ground-dwelling birds and mammals in open grasslands.
Red-necked Falcon (Falco chicquera)
With a rufous nape, gray wings, and barred underparts, this medium-sized falcon is native to India and sub-Saharan Africa. It prefers dry, open habitats and often hunts in pairs at dawn and dusk.
Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae)
Found on Mediterranean islands, Eleonora’s Falcon has dark and light morphs. It delays breeding until late summer to coincide with bird migrations, feeding its chicks with small songbirds.
Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis)
Native to Central and South America, this small falcon has a striking black back, white chest, and reddish-orange belly. As its name suggests, it frequently preys on bats and small birds.
Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis)
Recognizable by its bold black-and-white facial markings and rufous thighs, the Aplomado Falcon inhabits grasslands and savannas in the southwestern U.S., Mexico, and South America. It hunts in open areas, often cooperatively.
Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)
This Australian species is highly variable in color, ranging from pale brown to dark chocolate. It inhabits a variety of open habitats and is known for its opportunistic feeding habits.
Laggar Falcon (Falco jugger)
Native to the Indian subcontinent, the Laggar Falcon has brownish-gray plumage and pale underparts. It is often seen in dry open country and is facing population declines due to habitat loss and pesticide use.
Grey Falcon (Falco hypoleucos)
One of the rarest falcons, the Grey Falcon is pale gray overall with darker wingtips. It is endemic to the arid interior of Australia and preys mainly on birds.
Collared Falconet (Microhierax caerulescens)
Tiny and striking, this Southeast Asian falcon is black above with white below and a distinctive white collar. It inhabits forest edges and often perches conspicuously while hunting insects and small vertebrates.
Black Falcon (Falco subniger)
A large, dark falcon of Australia, the Black Falcon is mostly blackish-brown and is known for its fast flight and ability to hunt large birds. It prefers open grasslands and arid zones.
Orange-breasted Falcon (Falco deiroleucus)
This forest falcon of Central and South America has black upperparts and a vibrant orange chest and face. It is rare and mainly found in tropical rainforests and mountainous regions.
New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae)
Endemic to New Zealand, this medium-sized falcon has long wings and tail, with a mottled brown appearance. It inhabits forests and open areas and is known for aggressive territorial behavior.
Barbary Falcon (Falco pelegrinoides)
Closely related to the Peregrine, the Barbary Falcon has paler plumage and a more rufous hue. It inhabits arid regions of North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis)
A small migratory falcon breeding in northeast Asia and wintering in southern Africa, it has dark gray plumage and reddish legs. It undertakes one of the longest migrations of any raptor.
Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis)
This slim falcon resembles a small Peregrine and is found throughout Australia and New Guinea. It is fast and agile, preying mostly on birds and insects in open woodlands.
Taita Falcon (Falco fasciinucha)
A rare and localized species of eastern and southern Africa, the Taita Falcon has dark upperparts and barred underparts. It inhabits rocky cliffs and river valleys and is often hard to spot due to its secretive nature.
Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
A slender, fast-flying falcon with dark upperparts and red “trousers” (thighs). Found across Europe and Asia, it migrates to Africa and South Asia for winter. It hunts dragonflies and small birds in flight.
African Hobby (Falco cuvierii)
Similar in shape to the Eurasian Hobby, this falcon is smaller and found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It has rufous underparts and dark slate-gray upperparts and is known for agile flight while hunting insects.
Australian Kestrel (Falco cenchroides)
Also known as the Nankeen Kestrel, it is pale with rusty brown upperparts and a white underside. Common across Australia, it hovers over fields to hunt insects and small vertebrates.
Greater Kestrel (Falco rupicoloides)
This African kestrel has pale plumage with black streaks and a bright yellow eye ring. It prefers open savannas and grasslands, where it hunts mostly insects and rodents.
Fox Kestrel (Falco alopex)
Found in the Sahel and savanna zones of Africa, the Fox Kestrel is reddish-brown with narrow wings and a long tail. It’s shy and less studied compared to other kestrels.
Dickinson’s Kestrel (Falco dickinsoni)
A pale gray kestrel with striking dark flight feathers, found in eastern and southeastern Africa. It prefers woodland and savanna, nesting in tree cavities or old nests.
Rock Kestrel (Falco rupicolus)
Once considered part of the Common Kestrel complex, this species is native to southern Africa. It is rusty-brown above and streaked below, favoring rocky and open terrain.
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
Widespread across Europe, Asia, and Africa, it is known for its hovering flight. Males have gray heads and reddish-brown backs, while females are more uniformly brown.
Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus)
Once critically endangered, this endemic species from Mauritius has seen successful conservation recovery. It has a reddish back and pale underparts with spots and prefers forested habitats.
Seychelles Kestrel (Falco araea)
The smallest kestrel species, it is endemic to the Seychelles Islands. This bird has chestnut upperparts and a white breast with fine streaks, and it nests in rock crevices or tree cavities.
Malagasy Kestrel (Falco newtoni)
Found on Madagascar and surrounding islands, it has rusty plumage with darker streaks. It inhabits savannas, open woodlands, and human-altered landscapes.
Banded Kestrel (Falco zoniventris)
Endemic to Madagascar, this kestrel has dark bands across its chest and belly. It’s less well-known and lives in dry forests and scrublands.
Spotted Kestrel (Falco moluccensis)
Native to Indonesia, especially the Lesser Sunda Islands, it closely resembles other kestrels but features distinctive spotting. It is relatively common in open habitats.
Oriental Hobby (Falco severus)
A small, forest-dwelling falcon of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. It is dark above with a reddish underbelly and is swift in flight, often hunting small birds and insects.
White-rumped Falcon (Polihierax insignis)
Found in Southeast Asia, this small falcon has a striking white rump and underparts, with dark upperparts. It lives in forested and wooded areas and is quite elusive.
Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus)
This tiny falcon is native to eastern and southern Africa. White below with gray above, it often nests in the communal nests of weaver birds and preys on insects and lizards.
Little Falcon (Falco longipennis subniger)
A dark morph or regional variation of the Australian Hobby, this bird is distinguished by darker plumage and more tropical range in northern Australia and New Guinea.
Eastern Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)
Found across eastern Europe and central Asia, this falcon has males with bluish-gray plumage and bright red legs. It migrates to Africa for the winter and often gathers in large flocks.
Western Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus vespertinus)
A population in the western portion of the species’ range, with slightly different migratory patterns and nesting habits. Found from Hungary to Kazakhstan.
Greater Red-footed Falcon (disputed)
Some ornithologists refer to exceptionally large individuals or isolated populations with slightly different plumage patterns. Though not formally recognized as a separate species, they are noted in field observations.
Moltoni’s Falcon (Falco moltonii)
Recently separated from the Eleonora’s Falcon, this species breeds in the western Mediterranean. It is similar in appearance but has distinct vocalizations and migratory behavior.
Chestnut-headed Falcon (Falco chicquera ruficollis)
A subspecies of the Red-necked Falcon, this bird is native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is noted for its striking chestnut head and neck, gray upperparts, and barred underparts. It prefers savannas and often hunts cooperatively.
Indian Hobby (Falco subbuteo streichi)
A regional variation of the Eurasian Hobby, found primarily in the Indian subcontinent. It is similar in shape but slightly smaller and may show subtle plumage differences adapted to drier inland environments.
Rufous-necked Falcon (historical term)
An older name used in some regional field guides to describe a variation of the Red-necked Falcon, especially those with extensive rufous coloring. Though not officially a separate species, it’s often mentioned by falconers and local ornithologists.
Isabelline Kestrel (informal morph)
A light-colored, pale variant of some kestrels seen in Central Asia and the Middle East. While not a distinct species, it’s often noted due to its washed-out, sandy plumage suited to desert habitats.
White-cheeked Falcon (Falco alopex whitei)
Sometimes listed as a subspecies of the Fox Kestrel, this form has a paler head and more defined white cheek patch. Native to dry regions of East Africa, it’s poorly studied and seldom seen.
Abyssinian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus rufescens)
A subspecies of the Common Kestrel found in Ethiopia and East Africa. It is slightly smaller with darker plumage and is adapted to mountainous and semi-arid environments.
North African Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus alexandri)
Inhabiting coastal and inland areas of North Africa, this kestrel has paler, warmer-toned feathers than its European counterparts. It’s often seen hovering over arid plains.
Far Eastern Hobby (Falco subbuteo sibiricus)
A subspecies of the Eurasian Hobby found in eastern Russia, Mongolia, and northeastern China. It exhibits minor plumage differences and migrates to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent for the winter.
South American Aplomado (Falco femoralis femoralis)
The nominate subspecies of the Aplomado Falcon, it’s found in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It displays bold contrast between its gray back, white chest, and rich rufous thighs.
Northern Aplomado (Falco femoralis septentrionalis)
This population ranges from northern Mexico into the southwestern U.S. Slightly lighter in color, it has been reintroduced in some parts of Texas and New Mexico due to conservation efforts.
Makira Falcon (unresolved status)
A very poorly known or possibly extinct species or subspecies from the Solomon Islands (Makira). It is rarely observed and may represent a very distinct regional form of falcon, though its taxonomy is under debate.
New Guinea Hobby (Falco longipennis hanieli)
A subspecies of the Australian Hobby, native to Papua New Guinea. It is smaller and has slightly darker plumage than its Australian counterpart, adapted to humid forest edges and open terrain.