Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider and the yellow of their bare parts is paler. The cere (soft skin surrounding the nostrils), feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow. All Common Kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe. Unlike most hawks, they display sexual color dimorphism (difference between male and female). Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside. The smallest one of its kind has been weighed at 5 oz (141.74 g) with the largest one at 11 oz (311.84g). It is widespread in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the east coast of North America.įrom head to tail, common kestrels measure between 13 and 15 inches (33.02 cm and 38.1 cm) with a wingspan between 26 and 32 inches (66.04 cm and 81.28cm). In Britain, it is known as simply the kestrel. This common bird of prey is also referred to as the European Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel, or Old World Kestrel. The ye olde common kestrel has made it to second place on our list. Limited availability of nest sites and prey sometimes force peregrine falcons to move into cities, nesting on building ledges and feeding on pigeons. Peregrine falcons may live in the open country, cliffs, open tundras, desert mountains, and often seen near water.ĭon’t be surprised if you see one of these popular birds on your way to the mall. Some live in Alaska, the Midwest, the Northeast, the Southwest, and along the western coastline year-round. They travel long distances but can be migratory or non-migratory. When the wings are open, dark brown bars across the wings are also visible. Dark-brown bars run across its white chest. The bird’s chin and neck are white, and each eye is surrounded by a yellow circle. Sometimes the cheeks can have a dark brown tear-shaped mark. The wings and tail are bluish-gray, while the back and head are darker. Scientists have clocked this falcon diving up to 200 miles (321.86 km) per hour. Peregrine falcons are roughly 1.5 feet (0.45 m) tall with a wingspan of 3.5 feet (1.06 m) and can weigh between 1 and 3.5 pounds (0.45 kg and 1.58 kg). It is found on six out of the seven continents. The peregrine falcon is our first bird due to its worldwide recognition. Without further ado, let us journey to the skies and discover the wondrous world of falcons. 25+ Falcon Species: Your Comprehensive Guide But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a falcon. Though, closely related raptors have been spotted there. There are an estimated 40 species of falcons soaring through the earth’s sky on all continents, and six of those types of falcons are found in the United States.Īntarctica is the one continent where you will not find these magnificent creatures. Now that you know the basics of what a falcon is, let’s dive a little deeper. What makes falcons different from other preying birds is their hunting behavior, beak shape, slender bodies, taxonomic classification, and undeniable speed. The female, as with most birds of prey, is larger and bolder of the sexes. Their wings are tapered with sharply pointed tips, allowing them to fly very fast and dive at incredible speeds to grab their prey. They have sharp, curved beaks, pointy talons, and eyesight that is eight times better than that of humans. Though they tend to be smaller in stature than hawks, eagles, and owl species, falcons are considered large and powerful birds. These include Falcons, Kestrels, and Hobbies. More specifically, they are the members of the subfamily or genus, Falco. They belong to the Falconidae family, which comprises several species of birds. Types of falcons by Outforia What Is A Falcon?īefore flying straight into the magical details of falcons, let’s cover the basics to get a better foundation of what they are.įalcons are a type of bird of prey. Orange-breasted Falcon (Falco deiroleucus) New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) 25+ Falcon Species: Your Comprehensive Guide.
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