American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

The American Kestrel is a small but energetic falcon commonly found in North America4, central Mexico, and the Caribbean. They can live in open grasslands, harsh deserts, and urban areas. 

It is the smallest falcon species, weighing around 8 to 12 inches and weighing approximately 2.8 to 5.8 ounces. At first sight, its vibrant plumage featuring warm-toned shades of rust, gray, and white, paired with a distinct black slash near its eyes, is striking. Its slender, sharp beak is a dark yellow, often tipped with black.

The American Kestrel's diverse diet includes insects, mammals, and birds. Its unique hunting technique involves mid-air hovering and a speedy and precise dive.

Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

The Common Kestrel, also known as the European Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel, or Old World Kestrel, is a bird of prey found in various habitats across the globe. 

Hues of chestnut-brown distinguish them and have intricate black markings contrasted by a lighter, almost cream-colored, underbelly. Its beak is a muted grey, shaped sharply for skillful hunting. A small-to-medium bird of prey typically measures between 13 to 17 inches in length and weighs approximately 5 to 10 ounces.

Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus)

The Mauritius Kestrel is a compact bird of prey, standing around 8 to 10 inches tall with a weight range of 4 to 6 ounces. This falcon displays a warm chestnut-brown color across much of its body, while its tail and wing feathers boast black stripes. Its powerful beak is an eye-catching yellow, contrasting starkly against its brown head.

They were once the world's rarest bird, with only four individuals in the wild in 1974. However, dedicated conservation efforts have helped the bird recover, and its population has increased to around 170-200 birds today. 

Despite its successful rebound, the Mauritius Kestrel is still listed as an endangered species due to its small population size and limited habitat range, which make it vulnerable to habitat destruction and predators.

Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)

The Lesser Kestrel inhabits open grasslands, farmlands, and steppe landscapes. They breed from April to August in Europe and Central Asia and migrate to Africa for the winter. 

The Lesser Kestrel is a small bird of prey, typically weighing between 4 to 6 ounces and spanning a length of 10 to 12 inches. Its plumage is slate-gray on the male's head and tail but more earthy brown for females. Their undersides display a dappled pattern of cream and brown, while their sharp beak is a notable yellow with a hook at the end for tearing prey.

Their diet consists mainly of grasshoppers, beetles, and other small invertebrates, and they may occasionally eat a small rodent or bird.

Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)

The Eurasian Hobby lives in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is known for its agility and precision while hunting dragonflies, butterflies, and other insects in mid-air. 

Likewise, it is a relatively small raptor, with a body length typically between 12-14 inches and around 0.5 pounds. It carries an aesthetically pleasing mix of colors on its feathers: its back and wings are bluish-gray. At the same time, the underparts have a reddish tint. Its beak is dark, sharply hooked, and well-suited for carnivorous preferences.

It builds its nest by repurposing the abandoned nests of other birds. Moreover, it hunts silently by surprising its prey as it flies low over water bodies or vegetation.

Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis)

The Australian Hobby is found in Australia and New Guinea and is known for its agility and swiftness. 

This type of falcon is an elegant raptor, smaller in stature, typically measuring 12 to 14 inches long, and weighing approximately half a pound. A slender body profile is dressed in charcoal grey and soft white plumage. Its beak, robust and hooked, features a distinctive yellow-orange hue.

It hunts insects and small birds during the late afternoon and early evening. The bird is also an opportunistic nester, often taking over old nests abandoned by other birds. Moreover, this territorial bird usually hunts alone or in pairs.

Oriental Hobby (Falco severus)

The Oriental Hobby is a medium-sized Asian falcon species. They weigh between 6.5 to 9 ounces and measure about 10 to 12 inches in length. They sport a sleek coat of gray and rufous feathers, contrasted by dark, slate-colored beaks and slate-blue feet.

Likewise, it is an efficient hunter that catches prey mid-flight, including beetles, dragonflies, butterflies, small birds, and bats. 

The Oriental Hobby nests in the cooler regions of the Himalayas and migrates to Southeast Asia during winter.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

The Peregrine Falcon is a bird of prey known for its exceptional flying abilities3. It is the world’s fastest bird, reaching up to 240mph. 

They hover between 15-20 inches in size and weigh from 1.2 to 3.5 pounds. This raptor showcases slate-gray backs and barred white undersides, its beak—piercing yellow, as sharp as its predatory instincts. The intricate design of their plumage sets them apart, truly an exhibition of nature's canvas.

Moreover, Peregrine Falcons are globally distributed species often found near coasts, cliffs, mountains, and bodies of water. 

These falcons hunt for smaller birds such as pigeons, doves, waterfowl, songbirds, and waders. Their razor-sharp talons make them highly efficient predators.

Merlin Falcon (Falco columbarius)

The Merlin Falcon is a bird of prey known for its excellent hunting abilities and swift flight. It is found across the Northern Hemisphere in various habitats and is highly adaptable. As a migratory bird, this type of falcon travels south during winter and primarily feeds on small birds. 

Female Merlin Falcons are larger than males, and their plumage is brown, while males are slate-blue to dark gray. They measure between 9.4 and 13.4 inches long and weigh approximately 5.6-8.5 ounces. 

The bird has an average lifespan of six years in the wild but can live up to ten years in captivity.

Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)

The Prairie Falcon is a bird of prey that inhabits the arid regions of North and Central America. 

They typically measure about 14 to 20 inches in length and weigh between 1.5 and 3.3 pounds. Exhibiting earth-toned plumage, this raptor bears a dominant beige-pale body that contrasts with the darker axillaries. The beak, impressively robust, reveals a muted yellow hue.

Prairie falcons tend to eat whatever is available, such as ground squirrels and prairie dogs. Still, they may also catch smaller birds or reptiles. Moreover, the prairie falcon hunts using a high-speed dive or "stoop" to catch prey in mid-air. 

This bird is territorial, especially during its breeding season from March to July, and breeding pairs return to the same nesting site year after year5, usually on cliff faces.

Grey Falcon (Falco hypoleucos)

The Grey Falcon is a vulnerable bird species; the scientific community considers it one of Australia's rarest birds of prey. 

The Grey Falcon is notable for its light-grey plumage, which gives the bird its name. Their wingtips and tail feathers often feature a darker shade of grey. Their beak is blue-grey that lightens at the base, while their feet are a vivid yellow. A small bird, the Grey Falcon usually measures 14-17 inches in length and weighs from 1.2 to 1.6 pounds.

Thanks to its pale grey feathers, this bird can blend into its habitat, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions. Grey falcons live in open habitats with sparse vegetation.

The Grey Falcon is a highly skilled hunter known for its skill and speed. Its diet is diverse and ranges from mammals to reptiles. However, it is particularly noteworthy for its hunting of other birds.

Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)

The Red-footed Falcon soars freely across Europe and Asia. This raptor is relatively small, measuring 28-34 cm in length, but it has red feet and 'trousers' that stand out from the rest of its body. The male falcon has a blue-grey coat, while the females and juveniles have a browner shade. 

These types of falcons maneuver mid-air to catch their prey adeptly, feeding mainly on beetles and grasshoppers. However, they also hunt small mammals, birds, and amphibians. Red-footed Falcons also hunt in teams. 

They prefer open spaces such as marshes, heaths, and farmlands and often occupy abandoned nests of rooks and crows. 

Both parents take responsibility for raising their young from egg to flight, and they are naturally monogamous.

Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor)

The Sooty Falcon is a prey bird inhabiting North Africa and the Middle East. They exhibit a streamlined body with an overall grey-blue color. Even more striking is its sleek, curved yellow beak. The adults are approximately 13-16 inches long and weigh around 0.5 pounds, lending them a moderate build.

This type of falcon undertakes remarkable long-distance migrations. An adult Sooty Falcon traveled over 3400 miles from UAE to Madagascar in 13 days1.

The Sooty Falcon is a skilled hunter, using its swift and agile flight to catch prey in mid-air. Its diet consists mainly of small birds and flying insects, although it prefers dragonflies. Interestingly, it likes to hunt at dawn or dusk.

Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis)

The Aplomado Falcon is a slender bird, typically measuring 13 to 17 inches long and weighing 9 to 14 ounces. Its plumage is distinct: a gray-blue upper body and wings contrast against a creamy underside streaked with thin, dark bands. The falcon's beak, a pointed tool, is a stark yellow-orange.

The bird lives in the Americas, ranging from the southwestern parts of the United States through Central and South America, including Southern Mexico and Northern Argentina.

Aplomado Falcons prefer wide-open spaces, sparse vegetation of grasslands and savannas, far-reaching marshes, semi-arid regions, and forest clearings. 

While hunting, a small group or pair of falcons work together to flush out prey from its hiding place, with others waiting to swoop in for the kill.

Aplomado Falcons are not picky eaters, preying on small birds, insects, mammals, or reptiles. 

The bird's call is a quick, high-pitched note followed by a longer, lower-pitched note.

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Observing a Brown Falcon can be an exciting experience. As its name portrays, it has a predominantly brown plumage, with hues ranging from shoulder to dusk. Its beak is sturdy, hooked, and light grey, an attribute that marks its predatory lifestyle. 

These types of falcons span between 18-24 inches in length, typically weighing from 1.1 to 2.7 pounds. They can thrive in habitats such as open woodlands, grasslands, arid regions, and urban areas. It feeds on mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and occasionally scavenges carrion.

When hunting, the Brown Falcon perches high above the ground, scanning for potential prey. It swoops quickly once it spots a target, sometimes going on a mid-air chase.

Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis)

The Amur Falcon, a small bird of prey, weighs about 4.2 to 7.8 ounces with a wingspan measuring 32 to 40 inches. Distinctive in appearance, they sport slate-grey plumage on their upperparts while their underparts exhibit a stunning orange color. 

Amur Falcons are known widely for having the longest migration route on an open sea of all birds of prey2; for around 9,000 miles,, they travel between their breeding grounds in southeast Russia and northern China and the coasts of eastern or southern Africa.

Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug)

The Saker Falcon is a large bird of prey found in Eastern Europe and Asia. Its light-to-dark distinguishes it contrasted plumage, varying from a sandy brown to ruddy hues. It's home to dark stripes under its eyes, and its beak's grey-blue color adds a striking note. 

Typically, adult Saker Falcons range from 18 to 23 inches in length, with a weight between 1.5 to 3 pounds, making it one of the larger raptor species.

It eats rodents, birds, and larger animals like hares, foxes and nests in various locations during the breeding season. 

Unfortunately, IUCN classifies them as endangered falcon species due to offtake for falconry, reduction of prey, and power line electrocution.

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)

The Gyrfalcon is the largest member of the falcon family and is found in the Arctic. It has adapted to the harsh and cold environment with its thick plumage and fast metabolic rate. 

Its feathers range from a striking white to jet black, often with flecks of lighter colors. The sturdy beak complements the plumage with its yellow or blue-gray hue. On average, this bird measures 20 to 25 inches in length. At the same time, its weight oscillates between 2 and 4.5 pounds, affirming its formidable presence in the skies.

The bird is a high-speed aerial hunter who mainly feeds on birds and small mammals. 

Our last type of falcon is a  territorial and solitary creature, occupying the same nesting sites year after year. Its territory spans 9,000 square kilometers.