Falconiform

Introduction
General features
Natural history
- Behaviour
- Locomotion
  - Flapping, soaring, and diving
  - Walking and hopping
- Life history
  - The fledging period
  - The postfledging period
  - The period as a juvenile
  - The breeding adult
- Reproduction
- Ecology
  - Feeding
  - Migration
Importance to humans
Form and function
- Feet and beak
- Plumage and molt
- Vision, hearing, and smell
Evolution and paleontology
Classification
- Distinguishing taxonomic features
- Critical appraisal
- Annotated classification

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

Mongolian falconer on horseback with golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). While falcons are usually worn on the left hand, in certain areas of Asia eagles are carried on the falconer's right arm.

Martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) taking flight over dry grassland, holding its prey in its talons.

Illustration showing the heads of six falconiform birds: a black vulture (Coragyps atratus), a lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotus), a common buzzard (Buteo buteo), a Steller's sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), a hook-billed kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus), and a gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), each labeled with their common and scientific names.

Illustration showing the specialized feet of various falconiform birds, including lammergeier, osprey, harpy eagle, buzzard, New World vulture, northern goshawk, short-toed eagle, and secretary bird, each with distinct talon shapes and textures suited to their hunting or scavenging lifestyles.

white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Male common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus).

Modifications for specialized types of flight among falconiforms.

Spot the Andean condor soaring among the Andes mountaintops and note its impressive wingspan

Quizzes

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Animals, mammals.

Ultimate Animals Quiz

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

pigeon. pigeon and dove. member of the order Columbiformes, family Columbidae

Ultimate Bird Trivia Quiz

Deadliest Animals Quiz

Young chimpanzee dressed in a shirt and sweater vest, scratching his head thinking. (primates)

Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz

Related Questions

How are falconiforms divided into the families Accipitridae and Falconidae?
How can agriculture create habitat for some falconiform species?
How did DDT affect peregrine falcon eggshells?
How do a falcon’s long pointed wings help it hunt?
How do accipiters move through forest habitats?
How do falconiform beaks help them eat prey?
How do falconiform courtship displays help form pair bonds?
How do falconiforms show convergent evolution?
How do falconiforms use vision and hearing while hunting?
How do falcons differ from hawks in their nesting habits?
How do hawks differ from falcons in wing shape and hunting style?
How do parent falconiforms care for young after they leave the nest?
How does a peregrine falcon kill birds in midair?
How does the size of prey affect how often a falconiform hunts?
How fast can a peregrine falcon dive when hunting?
How have shooting, trapping, and egg collecting affected falconiform populations?
How long can large eagles and vultures go without food?
What special foot adaptation helps an osprey catch prey?
When do falconiforms usually begin hunting during the day?
Where do Philippine eagles live in the Philippines?
Where do falconiforms build their nests?
Where do falconiforms live around the world?
Which birds are classified as falconiforms?
Which birds belong to the family Falconidae?
Which falconiform species hunt or forage on the ground?
Which falconiforms gather in groups at roosting sites?
Which habitats can support falconiform birds?
Why are falconiform populations usually spread over large territories?
Why can the first-hatched falconiform chick have an advantage over younger siblings?
Why did peregrine falcon populations decline after World War II?
Why do large eagles and vultures produce relatively few young each year?
Why do large vultures wait for thermal updrafts before flying?
Why do most falconiforms have a poor sense of smell?
Why do peregrine falcons nest on skyscrapers and bridges?
Why do vultures have weaker feet than hunting raptors?
Why is the gyrfalcon considered the world’s largest falcon?
Why is the harm caused by eagles and other falconiforms to livestock often exaggerated?

Science Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates Birds

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Falconiform

bird

Also known as: Falconiformes, raptor

Written by

Leslie Hilton Brown

Ornithologist, naturalist, and consultant on range management, land use, and planning. Specialist on the ecology of birds and mammals of East Africa. Author of Africa: A Natural History; African Birds...

Leslie Hilton BrownAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 12, 2026 •History

Falconiform, (order Falconiformes), any of the group of swift, graceful birds known for their predatory skill as raptors. Included are eagles, condors, buzzards, kites, caracaras, ospreys, harriers, accipiters, vultures, secretary birds, falcons, hawks, and bateleurs. Although seldom abundant, falconiforms are widespread, living in diverse habitats virtually worldwide. They are often large, conspicuous birds that attract attention from smaller birds. Falconiforms are all active during the day, though several fly at dawn and dusk. With few...

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