NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Falcons

Falcons have thin, pointed wings, which allow them to dive at extremely high speeds. (Peregrine Falcons, the fastest animals on Earth, are said to have reached speeds of up to 200 mph.)

Other falcons include the Gyrfalcon, Lanner Falcon, and the Merlin. Some small falcons with long, narrow wings are called hobbies.

The technique of hunting with captive birds of prey is known as falconry.

The falcons are part of the family Falconidae, which also includes the caracaras, Laughing Falcon, forest falcons, and falconets.

Species

FAMILY FALCONIDAE
- Genus Falco
  - Lesser Kestrel, Falco naumanni
  - Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
  - Madagascar Kestrel, Falco newtoni
  - Mauritius Kestrel, Falco punctatus
  - Seychelles Kestrel, Falco araea
  - Spotted Kestrel, Falco moluccensis
  - Nankeen Kestrel, Falco cenchroides
  - American Kestrel, Falco sparverius
  - Greater Kestrel, Falco rupicoloides
  - Fox Kestrel, Falco alopex
  - Grey Kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
  - Dickinson's Kestrel, Falco dickinsoni
  - Banded Kestrel, Falco zoniventris
  - Red-necked Falcon, Falco chicquera
  - Red-footed Falcon, Falco vespertinus
  - Amur Falcon, Falco amurensis
  - Eleanora's Falcon, Falco eleonorae
  - Sooty Falcon, Falco concolor
  - Aplomado Falcon, Falco femoralis
  - Merlin, Falco columbarius
  - Bat Falcon, Falco rufigularis
  - Orange-breasted Falcon, Falco deiroleucus
  - Eurasian Hobby, Falco subbuteo
  - African Hobby, Falco cuvierii
  - Oriental Hobby, Falco severus
  - Australian Hobby, Falco longipennis
  - New Zealand Falcon, Falco novaeseelandiae
  - Brown Falcon, Falco berigora
  - Grey Falcon, Falco hypoleucos
  - Lanner Falcon, Falco biarmicus
  - Laggar Falcon, Falco jugger
  - Saker Falcon, Falco cherrug
  - Black Falcon, Falco subniger
  - Gyr Falcon, Falco rusticolus
  - Prairie Falcon, Falco mexicanus
  - Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus
    - Barbary Falcon, Falco (peregrinus) pelegrinoides
  - Taita Falcon, Falco fasciinucha
- Genus Daptrius
- Genus Phalcoboenus
- Genus Polyborus
- Genus Milvago
- Genus Herpetotheres
- Genus Micrastur
- Genus Spiziapteryx
- Genus Polihierax
- Genus Microhierax

Categories: Birds of prey | Birds

Results from FactBites:

Falcon Safety Products - Computer Cleaning Dusters and Compressed Gas Dusters (230 words)
	One of the many benefits of partnering with Falcon Safety Products for the development of your private label duster is experience.
	As a leading manufacturer of one of the world's most versatile aerosol products, Falcon recognizes that among the issues surrounding aerosol product distribution and usage is that of inhalant abuse or "huffing".
	Today, Falcon's Signal horns and cleaning dusters use one of two propellants.

SPACE.com -- Flight of the Falcon: Private Rocket Set for Late March (786 words)
	The first flight of the private Falcon 1, seen here in a static fire test of its Merlin 1 engine, is now slated for late March at the rocket's Kwajalein Atoll launch pad on the Pacific Ocean.
	Falcon 1 is a two stage, liquid oxygen and rocket grade kerosene powered launch vehicle.
	Falcons first stage is also rigged for a water landing under parachute, to be picked up by a ship in a process similar to recovery of the space shuttle solid rocket boosters.

More results at FactBites »

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