FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae

Falco berigora  

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)
click photo for larger image
© Nikki Dunis 2012
Werribee, VIC (Feb, 2012)

Falcons (Family Falconidae) lack a clutching foot mechanism to catch and kill prey, which characterises eagles, kites and relatives in the Family Accipitridae.

Instead, they have powerful hooked bills with specialised 'teeth' and matching notches which can sever neck bones with one bite.

(Birds in Backyards: birdsinbackyards.net/species/Falco-berigora)

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Light phase plumage

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Dark phase plumage

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon pursued by magpie

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Light phase plumage

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon in flight

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Willie attacking Brown Falcon on Nest

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Brown Falcon