Facts and Features of Falcon

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genre: Falco
Scientific Name: Falconiforme
Type: Bird
Diet: Carnivore
Size (H): 22cm - 40cm (9 inches - 19 inches)
Wingspan: 51cm - 110cm (20in - 43in)
Weight: 0.7 kg - 1.2 kg (1.5 lbs - 2.6 lbs)
Maximum speed: 322 kmh (200 mph)
Life Span: 12 - 18 years
Lifestyle: Solitary
Conservation Status: Threatened
Color: Black, Gray, Brown, White, Yellow
Skin Type: Feathers
Food: Birds
Habitat: high as mountains and cliffs
Average Clutch Size: 3
Main Prey: Birds, rabbits, bats
Predators: Humans, eagles, owls, wolves
Differentiative Features: Sharp, pointed beak and aerodynamic body shape

Falcons are medium-sized birds of prey found throughout the world, although they  prefer the more temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere . Falcons are popularly  known for their ruthlessness and their amazing flying skills .

Falcons have tapered wings that allow  to change direction very quickly, when compared with other birds. Falcons have been recorded diving at speeds up to 200 mph , which means they are the fastest creatures in the world !

There are over 40 different species of Falcons that can be found throughout the world, such as the peregrine falcon and  black Falcon. Falcons range in size from 25 cm to 60 cm in height, but the height of  Falcons depends on the species .Besides Antarctica,Peregrine falcon is most common bird of prey in the world and is found in every continent.

Falcons are birds of prey , so they are known for their incredible hunting abilities and as a ruthless dominant predator in its environment .Falcons hunt their prey from the skies and swoop through the air to pick up once  they discover a meal with amazing view. Falcons hunt all kinds of small animals such as mice , frogs, fish and falcons catch even small birds in the air.

Because of its great size, speed and alertness, falcon has few natural predators and even fewer that are actually airborne. Humans and wolves tend to be the main predators on the ground  and eagles and even large owls have been known to hunt smaller species of Falcons ( and of course, the young and inexperienced falcons ) in the air.Eggs and falcon chicks are particularly vulnerable to being eaten .

Falcons have adapted in many ways to maximize their chances of survival in the skies . The falcon has tapered wings that allow it to be more agile , the keen eyesight , which allows the falcon to detect prey on the ground far below an aerodynamic body shape means that falcons glides through the air with more easily and  pointy beak helps it  to grab and eat its prey more effectively.

Falcons make nest on high ground like mountains and cliffs and in the tops of tall trees . This means that eggs and falcon chicks are in the safest place possible. Falcons start playing when they are about a year old. Falcons females lay an average of 3 eggs per clutch and care for their young until they are big enough and strong enough to fend for themselves.

Falcons are generally solitary birds and really only come together to mate. Although the falcons are known to remain in the same place , many species of hawks are migratory and have been known to travel more than 15,000 miles per year.