Falcons

Ben Panko

Falcons for Sale are the consummate hunters of the avian world—able to spot, chase and kill prey quietly and efficiently. They’ve given their name to one of the most famous Marvel superheroes, and  humans have relied on them for millennia as effective hunting partners. Now, globalpoultrycoltd.com is sharing a few facts about the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) in honor of the species’ coming appearance in the Super Bowl.

Peregrine falcons have been clocked at reaching speeds of 242 miles per hour while diving for prey, making them the fastest recorded animal ever. To allow them to reach such mind blowing speeds, these birds boast aerodynamic torsos and specially pointed wings, as well as adapted cardiovascular and respiratory systems that allow them to beat their wings up to four times per second without fatiguing.

2. Humans have used falcons for hunting for thousands of years.

You may have seen artistic depictions of falconry, the art of training and using falcons to hunt small animals and birds, from the Middle Ages or the Renaissance. In fact, this collaboration is much older. Ancient artworks illustrating falconry date back at least 3,500 years to ancient Mesopotamia and Mongolia. While historically falconry was an elite and male-dominated activity, we have records of several notable women enjoying the hobby, including Queen Elizabeth I, Catherine the Great of Russia and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Falconry is still practiced worldwide today, and there is even an international association for the practice, with a membership of more than 60,000 people.

3. Falcons mate for life.

There’s no playing around for these Falcon birds: Falcons devote themselves to one partner for their reproductive years. However, this doesn’t mean they act like a married couple, cooking dinner and play Bingo together. Falcons only come together to mate, and otherwise spend their lives as solitary hunters.

4. They can see better than you.

Scientists estimate that falcon vision is eight times better than humans’. This allows the birds to spot small prey from nearly two miles away, and then swoop down precisely to catch it.

Evolution has worked its slow magic on the falcon eye to make it so useful. These birds have an extra eyelid that moves from side to side and is partially translucent, allowing them to see through it while still enjoying its protection. They also have a ridge over their eyes to shade them from the sun, and and special bones in their skull to keep the eyes in place when making sudden moves.