Falconidae

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Falcons and caracaras
Temporal range: OligoceneHolocene, 30.2–0  Ma
Brown-Falcon,-Vic,-3.1.2008.jpg
Brown falcon
(Falco berigora)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Leach, 1819
Type genus
Falco
Linnaeus, 1758
Subfamilies

Herpetotherinae
Polyborinae
Falconinae

The falcons and caracaras are around 65 species of diurnal birds of prey that make up the family Falconidae (representing all extant species in the order Falconiformes). The family likely originated in South America during the Paleocene [1] and is divided into three subfamilies: Herpetotherinae, which includes the laughing falcon and forest falcons; Polyborinae, which includes the spot-winged falconet and the caracaras; and Falconinae, the falcons and kestrels (Falco) and falconets ( Microhierax ).

Contents

Description

Falcons and caracaras are small to medium-sized birds of prey, ranging in size from the black-thighed falconet, which can weigh as little as 35 grams (1.2 oz), to the gyrfalcon, which can weigh as much as 1,735 grams (61.2 oz). They have strongly hooked bills, sharply curved talons and excellent eyesight. The plumage is usually composed of browns, whites, chestnut, black and grey, often with barring of patterning. There is little difference in the plumage of males and females, although a few species have some sexual dimorphism in boldness of plumage.

Distribution and habitat

The family has a cosmopolitan distribution across the world, absent only from the densest forests of central Africa, some remote oceanic islands, the high Arctic and Antarctica. Some species have exceptionally wide ranges, particularly the cosmopolitan peregrine falcon, which ranges from Greenland to Fiji and has the widest natural breeding distribution of any bird. Other species have more restricted distributions, particularly island endemics like the Mauritius kestrel. Most habitat types are occupied, from tundra to rainforest and deserts, although they are generally more birds of open country and even forest species tend to prefer broken forest and forest edges. Some species, mostly in the genus Falco, are fully migratory, with some species summering in Eurasia and wintering entirely in Africa, other species may be partly migratory. The Amur falcon has one of the longest migrations, moving from East Asia to southern Africa. [2]

Behaviour

Diet and feeding

The laughing falcon is a snake-eating specialist Laughing Falcon.jpg
The laughing falcon is a snake-eating specialist

Falcons and caracaras are carnivores, feeding on birds, small mammals including bats, [3] reptiles, insects and carrion. In popular imagination the falconids are fast flying predators, and while this is true of the genus Falco and some falconets, other species, particularly the caracaras, are more sedentary in their feeding. The forest falcons of the Neotropics are generalist forest hunters. Several species, particularly the true falcons, will stash food supplies in caches. [4] They are solitary hunters and pairs guard territories, although they may form large flocks during migration. Some species are specialists, such as the laughing falcon, which specialises in snakes, and the red-throated caracara, which mainly feeds on the larvae of bees and wasps; others are more generalist in their diet.

Breeding

The red-footed falcon is unusual in being a colonial breeding falcon Falco vespertinus.jpg
The red-footed falcon is unusual in being a colonial breeding falcon

The falcons and caracaras are generally solitary breeders, although around 10% of species are colonial, for example the red-footed falcon. [5] They are monogamous, although some caracaras may also employ alloparenting strategies, where younger birds help adults (usually their parents) in raising the next brood of chicks. Nests are generally not built (except by the caracaras), but are co opted from other birds, for example pygmy falcons nest in the nests of weavers, or on the ledges on cliffs. Around 2–4 eggs are laid, and mostly incubated by the female. Incubation times vary from species to species and are correlated with body size, lasting 28 days in smaller species and up to 35 days in larger species. Chicks fledge after 28–49 days, again varying with size.

Relations with humans

Falcons and caracaras have a complicated relationship with humans. In ancient Egypt they were deified in the form of Horus, the sky and sun god who was the ancestor of the pharaohs. Caracaras also formed part of the legends of the Aztecs. Falcons were important in the (formerly often royal) sport of falconry. They have also been persecuted for their predation on game and farm animals, and that persecution has led to the extinction of at least one species, the Guadalupe caracara. Several insular species have declined dramatically, none more so than the Mauritius kestrel, which at one time numbered no more than four birds. Around five species of falcon are considered vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN, including the saker falcon.

Taxonomy and systematics

The family Falconidae was introduced by the English zoologist William Elford Leach in a guide to the contents of the British Museum published in 1819. [6] [7] The family is composed of three main branches: the falconets and true falcons, the caracaras, and the forest falcons. Differences exist between authorities in how these are grouped into subfamilies. Also, the placement of the laughing falcon (Herpetotheres) and the spot-winged falconet (Spiziapteryx) varies. One common approach uses two subfamilies Polyborinae and Falconinae. The first contains the caracaras, forest falcons, and laughing falcon. All species in this group are native to the Americas. [8]

The composition of Falconidae is disputed, and Polyborninae is not featured in the American Ornithologists' Union checklists for North and South American birds that are produced by its Classification Committees (NACC and SACC). The Check-list of North American Birds considers the laughing falcon a true falcon (Falconinae) and replaces Polyborinae with Caracarinae and Micrasturinae. [9] On the other hand, the Check-list of South American Birds classifies all caracaras as true falcons and puts the laughing falcon and forest falcons into the subfamily Herpetotherinae. [10]

Falconinae, in its traditional classification, contains the falcons, falconets, and pygmy falcons. [11] Depending on the authority, Falconinae may also include the caracaras and/or the laughing falcon. [10] [12]

Phylogeny

The following cladogram is based on a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of the Falconidae by Jérôme Fuchs and collaborators that was published in 2015. The number of species is taken from the list of birds maintained by Frank Gill, Pamela Rasmussen and David Donsker on behalf of the International Ornithological Committee (IOC). [13] [14] Fuchs and collaborators recommended that the genus Daptrius should be expanded to include the genera Phalcoboenus and Milvago due to the shallow genetic divergence. This change has been adopted by the Clements Checklist but not by the IOC. [14] [13] [15]

Falconidae
Herpetotherinae

Herpetotheres – laughing falcon

Micrastur – 7 species (forest falcons)

Falconinae

Polihierax – pygmy falcon

Microhierax – 5 species (falconets)

Neohierax – white-rumped falcon

Falco – 39 species (falcons and kestrels)

Polyborinae

Spiziapteryx – spot-winged falconet

Caracara – 2 species (caracaras)

Ibycter – red-throated caracara

Phalcoboenus – 4 species (caracaras)

Daptrius – black caracara

Milvago – 2 species (caracaras)

List of genera

Below is list of the subfamilies and genera of the Falconidae. [14]

SubfamilyImageGenusSpecies
Herpetotherinae Micrastur mintoni - Cryptic Forest Falcon; Parauapebas, Para, Brazil.jpg Micrastur G.R. Gray, 1841 – forest falcons
Lachfalke.jpg Herpetotheres Vieillot, 1817 – laughing falcon
Polyborinae Spiziapteryx circumcincta Spot-winged Falconet, Chancani Natural Reserve, Cordoba, Argentina 02 (cropped).jpg Spiziapteryx Kaup, 1852
Ave Carcara.jpg Caracara Merrem, 1826 – crested caracara
Red-throated Caracara.jpg Ibycter Vieillot, 1816
Gelbkopfkarakara Milvago chimachima.jpg Milvago Spix, 1824 – brown caracaras
Black Caracara - Chupacacao Negro (Daptrius ater) (14909975447) (cropped).jpg Daptrius Vieillot, 1816
Mountain Caracara RWD.jpg Phalcoboenus d'Orbigny, 1834
Falconinae Philippine Falconet - Microhierax erythrogenys.jpg Microhierax Sharpe, 1874 – typical falconets
African Pygmy Falcon 002.jpg Polihierax Kaup, 1847
White-rumped Falcon, Preah Vihear, Cambodia.jpg Neohierax Swann, 1922
Common kestrel falco tinnunculus.jpg Falco Linnaeus, 1758 – true falcons, hobbies and kestrels

Fossil genera

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falcon</span> Birds of prey in the genus Falco

Falcons are birds of prey in the genus Falco, which includes about 40 species. Some small species of falcons with long, narrow wings are called hobbies, and some that hover while hunting are called kestrels. Falcons are widely distributed on all continents of the world except Antarctica, though closely related raptors did occur there in the Eocene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elaninae</span> Subfamily of birds

An elanine kite is any of several small, lightly-built raptors with long, pointed wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caracara (subfamily)</span> Subfamily of birds

Caracaras are birds of prey in the family Falconidae. They are traditionally placed in subfamily Polyborinae with the forest falcons, but are sometimes considered to constitute their own subfamily, Caracarinae, or classified as members of the true falcon subfamily, Falconinae. Caracaras are principally birds of South and Central America, just reaching the southern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bat falcon</span> Species of bird

The bat falcon is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras. It is found in Mexico, Central America, Trinidad, and every mainland South American country except Chile and Uruguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laughing falcon</span> Species of bird

The laughing falcon is a medium-sized bird of prey in subfamily Herpetotherinae of family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras. It is found from Mexico south through Central America and in every mainland South American country except Chile and Uruguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-headed caracara</span> Species of bird

The yellow-headed caracara is new-world bird of prey in the family Falconidae, of the Falconiformes order. It is found as far north as Nicaragua, south to Costa Rica and Panamá, every mainland South American country, and on the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Trinidad and Tobago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kestrel</span> Small bird of prey of the falcon genus, Falco

The term kestrel is the common name given to several species of predatory birds from the falcon genus Falco. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around 10–20 metres (35–65 ft) over open country and swoop down on ground prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects, while other falcons are more adapted for active hunting during flight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Striated caracara</span> Species of bird

The striated caracara or Forster's caracara is a Near Threatened bird of prey of the family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras. It is found in Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. In the Falklands it is known as the Johnny rook, probably named after the Johnny penguin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black caracara</span> Species of bird

The black caracara is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae found in Amazonian and French Guianan lowlands, occurring commonly along rivers. They are locally referred to as Ger' futu busikaka in the Republic of Suriname, and juápipi {nẽjõmbʌ} by the Emberá of Panamá and Colombia. However, both of these names refer to multiple bird species within the Falconidae. German-Brazilian ornithologist Helmut Sick also referred to this species as gavião-de-anta, literally translating to "tapir-hawk".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lined forest falcon</span> Species of bird

The lined forest falcon is a species of bird of prey in subfamily Herpetotherinae of family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pied falconet</span> Species of bird

The pied falconet, is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is temperate forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chimango caracara</span> Species of bird

The chimango caracara also known as chimango or tiuque is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, as a vagrant on the Falkland Islands and has been introduced on Rapa Nui.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-throated caracara</span> Species of bird

The white-throated caracara or Darwin's caracara is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras. It is found in Argentina and Chile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carunculated caracara</span> Species of bird

The carunculated caracara is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-rumped falcon</span> Species of bird

The white-rumped falcon is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae native to Indochina. It is placed in its own monotypic genus, Neohierax.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spot-winged falconet</span> Species of bird

The spot-winged falconet is a species of bird of prey in subfamily Falconinae of family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and possibly Uruguay.

<i>Caracara</i> (genus) Genus of birds

Caracara is a genus in the family Falconidae and the subfamily Polyborinae. It contains one extant species, the crested caracara, and one recently extinct species, the Guadalupe caracara. The crested caracara had in recent years been split into a northern species C. cheriway and a southern species C. plancus, but the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society has voted to again merge the two, retaining C. plancus as the crested caracara. The taxonomists of the International Ornithologists' Union have also merged them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falconinae</span> Subfamily of birds

Falconinae is a subfamily of falconid birds of prey that includes 44 species in three genera. It includes Microhierax, Polihierax, and Falco. Molecular data since 2015 has found support in the grouping of these genera, with Polihierax being paraphyletic in respect to Falco. Falconinae and their sister taxon, Polyborinae, split off from Herpetotherinae around 30.2 million years ago in the Oligocene epoch. Falconines split off from the polyborines around 20 million years ago in the Miocene epoch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herpetotherinae</span> Subfamily of birds

Herpetotherinae is a subfamily of falconid birds of prey that includes eight species in two genera Herpetotheres and Micrastur. Both genera are found in South America and the subfamily is basal to the other falconid subfamilies where they split off around 30.2 million years ago in the Oligocene epoch. The two extant herpetotherine genera split around 20 million years ago in the Miocene epoch with the extinct genus Thegornis.

References

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  13. 1 2 Fuchs, J.; Johnson, J.A.; Mindell, D.P. (2015). "Rapid diversification of falcons (Aves: Falconidae) due to expansion of open habitats in the Late Miocene". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 82: 166–182. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2014.08.010. PMID   25256056.
  14. 1 2 3 Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2023). "Seriemas, falcons". IOC World Bird List Version 13.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  15. Clements, J.F.; Schulenberg, T.S.; Iliff, M.J.; Fredericks, T.A.; Gerbracht, J.A.; Lepage, D.; Billerman, S.M.; Sullivan, B.L.; Wood, C.L. (2022). "The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2022" . Retrieved 4 February 2023.
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