Order Falconiformes / Falcons

• Virtually all falcons have hooked bills that help tear up the prey.
• Nearly all of the species in the order have strong legs and feet with sharp talons.
• Falconiformes have well-developed sight and hearing.
• The birds in this order kill with their beaks, not their talons.
• These birds have brown eyes (unlike eagles, who have golden eyes);
• Many Falconiformes species are endangered.

Here are some typical representatives of Falconiformes:

• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus.
• Common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus.
• Black Caracas.
• Crested Caracara.
• Fox Kestrel, Falco alopex.
• Merlin, Falco columbarius.
• Laughing falcon, Herpetotheres cachinnans.
• Lined forest falcon, Micrastur gilvicollis.
• Spot-winged falconet, Spiziapteryx circumcincta.
• Pygmy falcon, Polihierax semitorquatus.