Falcons dominate the skies with an aerodynamic design that rivals modern aircraft. These raptors evolved specifically for speed, allowing them to hunt other birds in mid-air with lethal precision. Furthermore, they adapted to human environments perfectly, often turning skyscrapers into their new mountain cliffs. Consequently, these birds of prey fascinate scientists and birdwatchers alike with their unique biological engineering. Explore these fascinating details about the fighter jets of the animal kingdom.
Falcons
The Peregrine falcon dives at speeds of over 240 miles per hour (386 kilometers per hour). This incredible velocity makes it the fastest member of the animal kingdom, surpassing even the cheetah.
Falcons possess specialized bone baffles in their nostrils to control airflow. These small tubercles act like jet engine intakes, allowing the bird to breathe easily without their lungs exploding from high-pressure air during a dive.
They use a sharp “tooth” on their beak to deliver the final blow to their prey. Unlike other raptors that kill with their talons, a falcon uses this tomial tooth to sever the spinal cord of its victim instantly.
Their vision functions nearly eight times better than that of a human. This superior eyesight allows them to spot a small meal like a pigeon from more than a mile (1.6 kilometers) away.
Kestrels can actually see ultraviolet light trails left by rodents. This superpower helps them track the urine of voles and mice through the grass to find their next meal.
The Gyrfalcon stands as the largest species of falcon on the planet. This massive Arctic bird hunts much larger prey, including hares and other large birds, in the freezing tundra.
Conversely, the Black-thighed Falconet ranks as one of the smallest birds of prey in the world. This tiny hunter grows only to the size of a sparrow yet still hunts insects and lizards aggressively.
Humans have practiced falconry for over 4,000 years. Ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia and Mongolia trained falcons to hunt for food long before the invention of gunpowder.
Armies used them during World War II to intercept enemy messenger pigeons. The birds patrolled the skies and took down the pigeons to stop secret information from crossing the front lines.
They evolved to function as nature’s most efficient aerial killers. Remarkably, DNA studies prove that falcons are actually more closely related to parrots than they are to hawks or eagles.
A transparent third eyelid protects their eyes like built-in safety goggles. This nictitating membrane clears away debris and keeps their eyes moist while the wind rushes past them at high speeds.
They often nest on the ledges of city skyscrapers and bridges. These structures resemble the high cliffs they prefer in the wild, providing perfect safety for their chicks.
The mating pair engages in a spectacular aerial display to bond. They drop food to each other in mid-air, with the female rolling upside down to catch the gift while flying.
Peregrine falcons migrate incredible distances of up to 15,500 miles (25,000 kilometers) a year. They travel between continents to find food, showing an endurance that matches their speed.
Finally, the female falcon typically grows much larger than the male. This size difference, known as sexual dimorphism, allows the pair to hunt different sizes of prey to feed their family.
