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Falcon diurnal bird of prey of family Falconidae, a
heterogenous group under the order Ciconiiformes, with pointed wings,
a square tail, and a notched bill. They are distributed worldwide. Falcons
are the smallest of about 60 species of hawks (15-60 cm). The term Falcon
is applied to members of the genus Falco, which has about 38 species.
Bangladesh has 9 species of which 5 are migratory. Kestrel, Hobby and
Merlin are also falcons. There are 13 Kestrels worldwide; Bangladesh has
2 species, both are migratory. Common Kestrel or the Northern-hemisphere
Kestrel is often seen hovering above roads. Hobby, occurring in the Old
World (4 species worldwide; Bangladesh has 2 of which one is migratory)
is a fast-flying acrobatic bird and a superb hunter. Merlin is a small
falcon, with dark plumage and reddish underparts. The Red-necked Falcon
or Redheaded Merlin was a common sight in Dhaka City as late as the early
seventies.
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Oriental Hobby |
Common Kestrel |
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Laggar Falcon |
Shaheen Falcon |
Falcons and hawks are used to capture birds or small
mammals. Falconry was known to the ancient Chinese, Persians, and Egyptians.
It has been practised since ancient times in the Middle East; it was introduced
from Asia to Eastern Europe and then to Western Europe. After the 17th
century falconry has declined. The falcons, taken when they are young,
are subjected to rigorous course of training. The most characteristic
species is the Peregrine Falcon (Falco pregrinus), a crow-sized
bird, which 'stoops' by circling high up and then folds its wings back
to dive at prey like flying waterfowl or other birds; it is capable of
swift flight, when it often seizes or kill its prey with a mid-air blow.
The bird
strikes with clenched talons, kills the prey by impact. Its power drive
may reach a velocity of about 180 kilometers per hour (112 miles
per hour), the fastest of all birds. When falconry was the sport of kings,
the peregrine was the most popular falcon. In true falcons, the female
is larger and bolder, and is most sought by falconers. The male hawk,
which is smaller than the female by one-third, is called tercel by the
falconers; only the larger female hawk is properly called the falcon.
Smaller kestrels habitually hover in search of ground prey; some are gregarious
and live and breed in colonies. Most falcons breed as solitary pairs.
Bangladesh has 4 resident Falcon: Turmuti (Red-necked
Falcon, Falco chicquera): a little falcon, bluish grey above, white
below. Head is chestnut and conspicuous. In flight the narrow white edging
to end of tail, preceded by a broad black band can be seen; Laggar Falcon
(Falco jugger): ashy brown falcon with brown-streaked white underparts,
and narrow brown moustachial stripes running down from in front and below
the eyes. Immature birds have brown underneath. Sexes are alike; Oriental
Hobby (Falco severus): slaty grey above with blackish head. Thighs
and under tail-coverts rufous. Breast and below is ferruginous; Pied Falconet
(Microhierax melanoleucos): resembles Amur Falcon but black above
and pure white below. Sexes are alike. Falcons of Bangladesh 5 migratory
species are: Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni); Shaheen Falcon (Falco
peregrinus): a crow-sized broad-shouldered falcon; slaty above with
black head, nape, and conspicuous moustachial stripes. Throat and breast
white; rest of underparts is ferruginous. Young are blacker above, striped
on breast, and heavily barred on flanks; Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo):
slaty grey above with blackish head. Rusty white broadly streaked with
black below. Thighs and under tail-coverts are rufous. Sexes are alike;
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus): brick red above with grey head;
light buff below with brown spearhead spots. In flight pointed black wings
and rounded grey tail with broad black terminal band can be seen; Amur
Falcon (Falco vespertinus): Male- slaty-grey above, ash grey below
but for rusty red vent thighs and under tail-coverts. Female- slaty grey
barred with black; hindneck with whitish nuchal collar. Pales rusty white
below, spotted with black on upper breast; bars on lower breast and flanks.
[Md. Anwarul Islam] |
