RAPTOR REHABILITATION OF KENTUCKY, INC.
  • Home
  • Volunteer
    • Apply to Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Adopt a Raptor
  • Rescue
  • Raptors
    • Owls >
      • Northern Saw-Whet Owl
      • Barred Owls
      • Barn Owls
      • Eastern Screech Owls
      • Great Horned Owls
    • Hawks >
      • Red-Shouldered Hawks
      • Red-Tailed Hawks
      • Cooper's Hawks
      • Broadwinged Hawks
      • Harris Hawk
    • Falcons >
      • American Kestrels
      • Peregrine Falcons
    • Vultures
    • Eagles >
      • Bald Eagles
      • Golden Eagle
    • Kites
    • Ospreys
  • Programs
  • TOURS
  • News
  • Shop
  • Newsletter
  • In Memoriam

FALCONS

FALCONS

Falcons are compact, fast-flying diurnal raptors with long, pointed wings. Small to quite large in size, they are anatomically well adapted to dashing level flights, twisting maneuvers, and high-speed dives in pursuit of live prey. Most falcons can be recognized by their distinctive dark moustachial stripes. Falcons have long toes with sharp talons for grasping prey items, and hooked, noticed beaks for killing and eating them. Female falcons are larger than males.

North American falcons are open-country birds found in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from tundra to southern  deserts. True falcons are specialized for chasing and catching their prey in flight. They either grab prey in flight or deliver a stunning blow to a flying bird with their feet and then quickly return to snatch the tumbling prey from the air. They dispatch their prey quickly by biting through the neck and breaking it. Their beaks have a specialized tooth-and-notch structure for this purpose.

In North America, falcons such as Peregrines, American Kestrels, Gyrfalcons, Merlins, and Prairie Falcons can be found.

Return to Top

Picture
   Rescue Line: 502-491-1939
    Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky, Inc.
    P.O. Box 206186
    Louisville, KY 40250
    Email: raptorrehabofkentucky@gmail.com

  • Home
  • Volunteer
    • Apply to Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Adopt a Raptor
  • Rescue
  • Raptors
    • Owls >
      • Northern Saw-Whet Owl
      • Barred Owls
      • Barn Owls
      • Eastern Screech Owls
      • Great Horned Owls
    • Hawks >
      • Red-Shouldered Hawks
      • Red-Tailed Hawks
      • Cooper's Hawks
      • Broadwinged Hawks
      • Harris Hawk
    • Falcons >
      • American Kestrels
      • Peregrine Falcons
    • Vultures
    • Eagles >
      • Bald Eagles
      • Golden Eagle
    • Kites
    • Ospreys
  • Programs
  • TOURS
  • News
  • Shop
  • Newsletter
  • In Memoriam