Kinds of Falcons Birds: Species Guide & Identification Tips

Remember that time I went birdwatching in Montana? I nearly dropped my binoculars when I saw this bullet-shaped bird dive faster than my car on the freeway. Turns out it was a peregrine falcon doing its signature hunting stoop. That moment got me hooked on these incredible raptors. If you're curious about different kinds of falcons birds, you're in the right place. I've spent years tracking these feathered missiles across three continents, and let me tell you – they're way more interesting than those boring zoo exhibits suggest.

Falcons aren't just "another bird of prey." They're precision hunters with built-in GPS and jet propulsion. Seriously, the peregrine hits speeds of 240 mph during dives – that's faster than a Formula 1 race car. But beyond the speed demons, there's stunning diversity among falcon species. From pigeon-sized kestrels to arctic giants with wingspans wider than your armspan, the variety will shock you. And no, not all of them look like that basic falcon silhouette you see in corporate logos.

What Makes Falcons Different From Other Birds of Prey?

Okay, let's clear up a common mix-up. Last month at a birding meetup, someone pointed at a red-tailed hawk shouting "Look, a falcon!" I cringed. Falcons have distinctive features you can actually spot without being an ornithologist. First, check those wings – long and pointed like fighter jets, unlike the rounded wings of hawks. Their beaks have this wicked little notch called a "tomial tooth" (perfect for severing spinal cords – metal, right?). And those dark eyes? Hawks usually have yellow or orange peepers.

Behavior-wise, falcons are the daredevils of the sky. Unlike eagles that soar for hours, falcons do these explosive bursts of speed. My falconer friend Tom describes training them like "negotiating with feathered torpedoes." They knock prey mid-air instead of carrying it off. Saw a merlin do this to a sparrow once – brutal but efficient. That said, coopers hawks sometimes get mistaken for falcons during high-speed chases, but their flight patterns give them away.

Meet the A-Team: Major Types of Falcons Birds Worldwide

Let's get to the good stuff – the rockstars of the falcon world. I'll confess something: when I started birding, I thought there were maybe five kinds of falcons birds max. Boy was I wrong. There are nearly 40 species, but we'll focus on the heavy hitters you might actually encounter.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

The peregrine is what happens when evolution designs a living missile. I've seen them hunting ducks in Alaska's Aleutian Islands – they dive from clouds so high you need binoculars just to spot their starting point. Urbanites love them too; they nest on skyscrapers in New York and London. Their secret weapon? Nostril cones that redirect air during dives so they don't blow out their own lungs. How metal is that?

But here's what nobody tells you: peregrines can be jerks. I watched one steal fish straight from an osprey's talons near Seattle last summer. Typical bully behavior. Still, you gotta respect their adaptability – they thrive in cities, coasts, mountains... basically anywhere with tall ledges and pigeons.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Don't let the size fool you – this pocket-sized predator is vicious. Spotting one hovering beside a highway? That's them hunting rodents in the median grass. Their coloration is insane: males have blue-gray wings like a miniature painting. During my Oregon road trip last spring, I counted 14 kestrels along 200 miles of highway – they love telephone wires.

Sadly, they're declining east of the Mississippi. Habitat loss is brutal for these guys. If you install a nest box facing open fields, you might attract a pair – just don't expect gratitude. They'll poop on your fence like every other tenant.

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)

Meet the Godzilla of falcons. I tracked these in Norway's Arctic tundra last year – they dwarf peregrines like SUVs next to sedans. Their color morphs blew my mind: from snow-white ghosts to charcoal gray phantoms. Saw a silver-phase gyr take down a ptarmigan mid-flight. The impact sounded like a baseball bat hitting a cushion.

Here's the kicker: they're ridiculously expensive in falconry circles. A top-tier white gyr can cost more than my pickup truck. Breeding programs struggle with their picky mating rituals too. Worth mentioning: climate change might push them further north as temperatures rise.

Merlin (Falco columbarius)

Merlins are the caffeine-addicted hummingbirds of the falcon family. Saw one chasing songbirds through a Colorado spruce forest like a feathered heat-seeking missile. They migrate insane distances – banded Canadian merlins show up in South America. Unlike larger falcons, they actually thrive in wooded areas where their compact size helps them maneuver.

Fun fact: their Latin name 'columbarius' means "dove hunter," but I've mostly seen them demolish dragonflies and sparrows. Still, don't underestimate them – I watched one drive off a red-tailed hawk five times its size.

Falcon Identification Made Simple

Still mixing up your falcons? Here's my cheat sheet from 12 years of field mistakes:

Flight Style: Peregrines = powerful straight flight; Kestrels = hover-hunters; Merlins = erratic chasers through trees

Size Reference: Kestrel (pigeon), Merlin (crow), Peregrine (duck), Gyrfalcon (goose)

Tell-Tale Markings:

• Peregrine: Dark "helmet" head, barred chest
• Kestrel: Rusty back with black spots (male), two facial stripes
• Merlin: Streaked chest, banded tail, no facial markings
• Gyrfalcon: Bulky build, variable colors (white to dark gray)

Sound helps too. Kestrels sound like frantic "killy-killy-killy" calls. Peregrines make harsh "kak-kak-kak" sounds that echo off cliffs. Merlins? Imagine a squeaky dog toy.

Pro tip: Location matters. No point looking for gyrfalcons in Florida or laughing falcons in Canada. Download range maps from Cornell's eBird before your next birding trip.

Falcon Habitats Explained

Finding falcons means thinking like a feathered assassin. They need three things: high perches, open hunting grounds, and nesting sites. But each species has quirks:

Cliff Dwellers: Peregrines and prairie falcons need rock faces (or skyscrapers)

Ground Nesters: Kestrels use old woodpecker holes; merlins take crow nests

Tundra Specialists: Gyrfalcons require vast open spaces with rock outcrops

Urban falcons fascinate me. Chicago's skyscrapers host dozens of peregrine pairs. They nest on ledges above busy streets, hunting city pigeons with zero fear of traffic. Saw one snatch a rat from a dumpster behind a taco shop – adaptation at its finest.

Conservation tip: Report nests to local Audubon chapters. Developers sometimes "accidentally" destroy active sites during construction season (March-July).

Falcon Diets: What These Hunters Actually Eat

Forget those nature docs showing falcons only eating mice. Their menus vary wildly:

• Peregrine: 90% birds (pigeons, ducks, songbirds)
• Kestrel: Insects (grasshoppers), rodents, small birds
• Gyrfalcon: Ptarmigan, hares, seabirds
• Bat falcon: Bats (duh), large insects

Hunting strategies differ too. Peregrines dive from height like feathered asteroids. Merlins chase through forests like berserker hummingbirds. Kestrels hover-wait before pouncing. Watching a kestrel hunt is hilarious – they bob their heads like they're targeting prey in a video game.

Falcon Conservation Status & Threats

Here's the uncomfortable truth: we almost wiped out peregrines. DDT poisoning made their eggshells so thin, chicks crushed them before hatching. By 1970, zero breeding pairs existed east of Mississippi. The comeback story gives me hope – banned DDT, captive breeding programs, and now they're off the endangered list.

Current threats:

• Habitat loss (prairie falcons suffer most)
• Electrocution on power lines (kestrels love perching there)
• Illegal falconry trade (especially saker falcons in Asia)
• Wind turbines (collision risk during migration)

How you can help:

• Report poaching to USFWS (1-844-FWS-TIPS)
• Donate to Peregrine Fund (peregrinefund.org)
• Build kestrel nest boxes on farmland
• Use rodenticides sparingly – poisoned rodents kill scavenging falcons

Falconry Facts: What Beginners Should Know

After my first falconry experience in Scotland, I'll be honest – it ain't like "Game of Thrones." Training a prairie falcon named Dex felt like negotiating with a toddler holding razor blades. Requires insane patience. Legally, US beginners start with kestrels or red-tailed hawks. Permits take 2+ years and apprenticeship exams.

Cost realities:

• License/training: $500-$2000
• Custom hoods/equipment: $300+
• Food (quail/pigeons): $100/month
• Vet bills: $200+ annually

Ethical considerations:

• Never buy wild-caught falcons
• Requires 2+ hours daily training
• Lifespan: 12-20 years in captivity
• Many states ban hybrid falcons

If you're serious, join NAFA (North American Falconers Association). Attend meets before committing. And brace yourself – my falconer buddy's gyrfalcon once stole a steak off his grill mid-cookout.