- Falcons hunt by rising above, and then swooping down, on their prey.
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- The lanner falcon is partial to sandgrouses, and hovers in the sky, looking out for them. When it spots one, it swoops down, catching the creature in midair or on the ground.
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- Falcons range in size from 15 to 60 cm (6 to 24 in), and the female is larger than the male.
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- Several species, notably the peregrine, have long been trained as hunting birds
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- The pegerine falcon is the world's fastest bird. It stoops (dives) to catch other birds at an astonishing 180kph (112 mph).
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- There are 60 species of falcon, and are all daytime-hunting birds of prey.
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- A group of 13 falcons called kestrels include the smallest members of the genus.
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- The common kestrel of Eurasia can often be seen hovering over motorway verges, searching for voles.
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