FALCONS Falcons are the fastest recorded creatures on Earth reaching dive speeds of more than 200 miles per hour 322 kph Speed agility and incredible eyesight make them lethal predators Once a target is spotted falcons dive downward slamming into and killing their prey often completely by surprise XTREME FACT Falcons were once worth more than their weight in gold In the late 1300s twelve gyrfalcons were used as ransom payment for a captured royal son when the kidnappers turned down gold 4
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus Falcons have been hunting partners with humans for hundreds of years The sport of falconry uses these trained raptors to hunt other birds and small mammals Aircraft rockets ships cars and sports teams are named after the fierce and lightning-fast falcons 5
SPECIES Falcons are known by their Latin name of Falco or true falcons Falcons are divided into subfamilies that include falcons kestrels hobbies and caracaras There are about 40 falcon species in the world At least 8 falcon species live in North America FALCON KESTREL Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus XTREME FACT Peregrine falcons have been brought to airports to scare away gulls and geese This helps prevent bird-plane air collisions 6
Falcons hunt with speed dives that usually kill upon impact Kestrels hover over their prey of insects small mammals and lizards Hobbies are small yet deadly fast falcons catching most of their prey in the air Caracaras are slightly larger and slower falcons that usually prefer to scavenge dead prey HOBBY CARACARAS Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo Northern Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway 7
