Falconidae

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | 693 words | Copyright

Falconidae (falcons, caracaras; class Aves, order Falconiformes) A family of mainly grey or brown, long-winged birds that have long, usually barred tails. Falcons are fast fliers, catching animal prey with their feet; caracaras are long-legged, slow fliers that feed mainly on carrion. Falconids inhabit mainly forest and open country, nesting on the ground, on ledges, or in trees, but only caracaras build nests of their own. The largest genus is Falco, comprising typical falcons, many of them migratory, and there are five species of Micrastur (forest falcons) that inhabit dense forest in Central and S. America. There are 10 genera in the family, with about 62 species, found world-wide.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Falconidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Falconidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Falconidae.html

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