How do falconiforms use vision and hearing while hunting?

Falconiforms rely primarily on their highly developed vision to hunt, while hearing plays a specialized role for certain species.12

Vision

Falconiforms possess large eyes with exceptional resolving power, which can be up to eight times greater than that of the human eye. Their visual system features two foveae—areas of high visual acuity—allowing for both lateral monocular vision and forward binocular vision. A structure called the pecten may cast a lattice-like shadow on the retina, which assists in the perception of moving objects. Because their eyes move little in their sockets, these birds must rotate their heads to track prey.13

Hearing

While hearing is generally good, it is not as critical as sight for most species. However, it is particularly advantageous for harriers and forest falcons, which hunt in environments like long grass or dense woodlands where visual detection is difficult. These birds have large ear apertures, and some species possess specialized feathers that form partial facial ruffs to help capture sound.12