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Falcons
are renowned for their speed, grace, and beauty. Falcons
are distinguished from other birds of prey by a toothlike
projection near the tip of the upper half of the beak. Generally
smaller and more streamlined than the hawks, they have small
heads, firm compact plumage, and long pointed wings - adaptations
that allow them to fly at great speed. In flight they use
quick, powerful wing strokes. Their strong, hooked beak
and powerful talons mark the falcons as highly specialized
predators.
The Falcon's speed and size make it an excellent hunter,
able to take some of the larger birds. The long-winged raptor
specializes in direct pursuit in the open and thus favours
non-forested areas in which to hunt, particularly shores,
marshes, river valleys, open moors, and tundra. Even though
its level speed of flight exceeds that of most birds, the
Falcon takes advantage of height from which to launch its
attack. The top speed of its dives (stoops) at prey is estimated
at well over 300 km/h.
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