Falcons

American Kestrel (male)

Falcons are characterized by long, pointed wings and swift, powerful flight. Although members off the order Falconiformes, which includes hawks, falcons are part of the genus Falco, which numbers more than 35 species worldwide. They range in size from 6 inches long to about 24 inches. In true falcons, the female is larger and bolder than the male.

The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America. It is a colorful falcon: The male has a slate colored head and wings contrasting with the rusty red back and tail.

They are often seen perching on telephone wires along roads in deserts, grasslands or alpine meadows.

Kestrels may nest in nest boxes or natural cavities. When nature calls, kestrels back up, raise their tail and squirt feces onto the wall of the cavity. The feces dry on the wall and stay off the nestlings. The nest can get pretty smelly with all the poo on the walls plus uneaten parts of small animals on the floor!

The Peregrine Falcon is a powerful fast-flying hunter which preys on medium-sized birds, dropping down from high above in a spectacular dive, called a sloop. In cities, they feast on doves. Elsewhere they feed on ducks and shorebirds.

Peregrine Falcon

Look for Peregrines perching or nesting on cliffs, skyscrapers and other tall buildings. The Peregrine Falcon is one of the most widespread birds in the world. It is found on all continents except Antarctica.

People have trained falcons for over a thousand years. Falconry is the hunting of wild quarry in its natural habitat by means of a trained bird of prey. The Peregrine Falcon was always one of the most prized birds.

To learn this sport, there is the New Hampshire School of Falconry. It is one of a handful in the nation devoted to explaining and teaching the art and science of the craft.

Falconry is legal everywhere in the United States except Hawaii and the District of Columbia.