The order Falconiformes contains about 290 species of birds
that include the diurnal birds of prey.
Examples of the order are known from fossil records dating from the Middle Eocene period.
The wings are long and fairly broad, suitable for soaring flight, the legs are strong and feet equipped with claws and an opposable hind claw.
Falconiforms are almost invariably carnivorous, hunting by sight during the day or at twilight. These birds are exceptionally long-lived, and most have low reproductive rates.
The classification of the aerial raptors is fraught with difficulty and the falconiformes is treated in several different ways.
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Traditionally, all the bird raptors are grouped into four families in the single order Falconiformes.
In Europe, common practice is to split the order with the falcons and caracaras remaining in the order Falconiformes containing about sixty species in four families, while the remaining 220or so species, including the eagles (Accipitridae), hawks, and others, placed in the a separate order "Accipitriformes".
The American Ornithologist's Union leaves the families Falconidae and Accipitridae in Falconiformes, but puts the family Cathartidae (New World vultures) with the storks in the order Ciconiiformes.
The influential Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, plaes all the bird raptors in an expanded order Ciconiiformes.
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| | | | kingdom | Animalia | | phylum | Craniata | | class | Aves Birds | | order | Falconiformes Eagles, Falcons + Hawks | | family | | | genus | | | species | |
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History of British Birds Volume 1: Land Birds
by Thomas Bewick, 1797
History of British Birds Volume 2: Water Birds
by Thomas Bewick, 1804
Recommend a Book for this Page
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