Page 56 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators

14. How does the
gyrfalcon hunt?

The raven-sized gyrfalcon
(Falco rusticolus) is the largest
falcon in the world and lives in
the Arctic tundra of Canada
and Alaska at altitudes as high
as 1,524 metres (5,000 feet). It
typically preys on small birds
(including willow and rock
ptarmigan and waterfowl),
mammals (such as lemmings,
hares and ground squirrels)
and sometimes large birds
(including sage grouse as well
as other falcons and hawks).
Using its amazing eyesight it
hunts by looking for prey from
a perch or during flight and
strikes its unsuspecting target
by approaching it from very low
over the ground or chasing it
over long distances until it tires.
Rather than grasping its prey
in mid-air, it will strike it – and
retrieve it – from the ground,
normally breaking its prey’s
breastbone in the process.
Another method is the hover
and dive, where gyrfalcons
start to dive from up to 500
metres (1,640 feet) above the
ground, reaching speeds of up
to 209 kilometres (129.8 miles)
per hour. To chase their prey,
sometimes gyrfalcons may hop
or run onto rocks.

The gyrfalcon can weigh
up to 1.5kg (3.3Ibs)
© Getty

17. Can prey ever escape?
15. How are prairie House martins and barn swallows
and peregrine have a characteristic hobby falcon
falcons different? warning alarm.

18. Who hunts the highest?
Prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus)
The slaty-backed forest-falcon
often hunt by flying low to the
(Micrastur mirandollei) preys on
ground and surprising their prey.
This hunting method is different to birds in the mid-canopy or canopy,
generally higher than most other
that of the peregrine falcon, which
is of a similar size to the prairie forest falcons.
falcon. Most of their diet is made 19. Do falcons ever eat
up of small animals and birds, but domestic animals?
they will also eat insects and reptiles. © Thinkstock Barred forest falcons (Micrastur
Prairie falcons will focus on eating ruficollis) have been recorded
one commonly found – and easy to stealing animals from cages and
catch – prey species at a time. traps that are being used for
research studies.
16. Which species is the slowest? Caracaras reach speeds 20. Which species of falcon eats

of up to 64 kilometres (39.8 miles) per hour, less than other the most meat?
members of the Falconidae family. 88% of the diet of a grey falcon
(Falco hypoleucos) is birds.

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