Falcon ID Flashcards
(16 cards)
What are the SIX species of falcons found in North America?
- Prairie Falcon
- Peregrine Falcon
- Gyrfalcon
- American Kestrel
- Aplomado Kestrel
- Merlin
Athough falcons are obviously raptors—with their hooked bills and carnivorous diets—they’re actually more closely related to parrots than they are to other raptors!
What shape characteristic enables falcons to fly really fast?
The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest living creature on Earth, with flight speeds of more than 300 km (186 miles) per hour!
Long, pointed wings with narrow wingtips.
These wings are built for speed. Their long, narrow shape and tapered tips allow falcons to slice through the air with minimal drag, optimizing their speed for the chase.
What are the FOUR SHAPE characteristics of the falcon subgroup?
- Small- to medium-sized raptors mostly on the smaller end of the size spectrum
- Long, pointed wings with narrow wingtips
- No “fingers” in the wings
- Long tails
What bird is this?
American Kestrel
What bird is this?
Peregrine Falcon
What bird is this?
Peregrine Falcon
What bird is this?
American Kestrel
What bird is this?
American Kestrel
What bird is this?
Peregrine Falcon
What bird is this?
Merlin
What bird is this?
Merlin
What bird is this?
Merlin
What bird is this?
Prairie Falcon
What bird is this?
Prairie Falcon
What bird is this?
Prairie Falcon
What diagnostic dark marking do Prairie Falcons have that can help you swiftly determine their identity?
Dark armpits (or auxillaries). It’s the only North American raptor with this feature.
