Falcon

Saker Falcon

The Falcons (Falco ) is a genus of birds of prey in the family -like Falk ( Falconidae ). Falcons are small to medium-sized bird of prey with usually a long tail and pointed wings.

Features

The Hawks form a relatively homogeneous group. Among its features is the hooked upper beak curved down at the forward part they carry a wave, the so-called Falk tooth. This shape supports the bite to the neck or in the back of the skull of the prey is killed by this.

The eyes are relatively large, the iris is usually dark. As with most birds of prey, the plumage of the lower leg is extended to so-called "Pants". A weak fletching stretches across the hock.

Hawks always have 15 cervical vertebrae. A kestrel for example, the spying from a vantage point for prey, can turn his cervical spine by 180 °. Already because of its eye position is his field of vision 220 ° without it also must only turn the neck.

Dissemination

The species can be found almost worldwide and includes 39 species. In Central Europe come with kestrel, red-footed falcon, Merlin, Hobby, Peregrine Falcon and Saker Falcon six species of falcons. The lesser kestrel brooding until a few years ago in Styria, but can no longer be regarded as Central European breeding birds now.

Among the hawks are obligatory migratory birds as resident birds. Among the long- distance migrants is one of the Hobby who moves from its breeding grounds to the Cape Province of South Africa. The kestrel hand, is a short-distance migrant. Falcons are wide front puller that draw on a broad front from Gibraltar to Arabia to Africa. In the active flapping, they overcome larger water areas.

Reproduction

Falcons do not build nests. The breeding takes place on rock walls, buildings or trees in nests of other birds or in simple wells. This distinguishes them from other birds of prey.

Foraging

Unlike eagles or buzzards their anatomy is focused on the active flight back and not ideally suited for the benefit of thermals. This means that most species of falcons seek their prey in the active flight or look out of a residence dating for food. If this is discovered, they will be served and tracked back well over long distances. Although the hunting technique of " shaking " is considered to be typical of falcons, hunt only a few species on these energy-intensive manner. In Central Europe, especially the kestrel for frequent jogging is known (hence its popular name Rüttelfalk ). Occasionally, Red-footed Falcon can be observed in Rüttelflug. Particularly common is shaking in terrain with few or lack of elevated seating.

For the natural prey of hawks depending on size and special adaptations of the species include small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and larger insects. The feet are used, unlike hawks, eagles and harriers, only to catch and hold the prey. In Peregrine but can be hit so hard with feet and claws for a nosedive birds that they are already killed by the force of the impact.

Hawks and humans

Mythology

Many nations Hawks play a role in mythology. In Egyptian mythology several falk multiform deities such as Horus ( the sky), Re ( sun) and Khonsu exist ( moon). In this context, the falcon has a special meaning as a symbol of the pharaoh. In Norse mythology, the goddess Freya Falk wearing a robe, with which it can glide through the air, depending on reading like a hawk or even turned into such a. For the Celts, the falcon counted as a mediator between this world and the hereafter. In Slavic mythology is the Falcon ( Sokol ) a form of the sun and light. He is known for his great courage, his sharp eyes, and he can traverse great distances in a short time. Therefore, it is especially the bird of warriors. The heroes of Russian fairy tales like to transform into hawks to solve difficult problems.

Falconry

Falcons are used since time immemorial for hawking, because they are very good hunters. Continues to be appreciated for this form of hunting the gyrfalcon, the largest falcon. In North America, the prairie falcon is mainly used because it is considered a particularly aggressive hunter.

Falconry, however, has also contributed significantly in earlier times the threat to the existence of the hawks and does so in part even today, as many of the birds used for this purpose from nature are taken. Especially in Arab countries, ownership of failed Falken continues to be a status symbol. Falconry is subject to strict regulations in Germany, and one needs to carry hunting license ( hunting license ) and Falkner slip ( Falkner test).

Species

• Falcon (Falco )