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Falconidae - Falcons, Caracaras

There are 66 species in this family of birds. They are found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, tundra, grasslands, wetlands, and forests. They are found in all parts of the world, except Antarctica.

Falcons and caracaras have hooked bills, pointed wings, and sharp talons. Females are larger than males.

They eat insects, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and carrion. Unlike the birds in the Accipitridae family, they kill their prey with their beaks, not their talons, and they have brown, not golden, eyes.

Falcons and caracaras usually nest in trees, and male-female pairs usually mate for more than one year.

  • The crested caracara is found from Arizona, Texas and Florida south to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Crested Caracara
    (Caracara plancus)
    The crested caracara is found from Arizona, Texas and Florida south to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The southern caracara is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Southern Caracara
    (Caracara plancus)
    The southern caracara is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Seychelles kestrel is found on the Seychelles Islands. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Seychelles Kestrel
    (Falco araeus)
    The Seychelles kestrel is found on the Seychelles Islands. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The gray kestrel is found in Africa from Maurtania and Ethiopia south to Tanzania and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gray Kestrel
    (Falco ardosiaceus)
    The gray kestrel is found in Africa from Maurtania and Ethiopia south to Tanzania and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The brown falcon is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Brown Falcon
    (Falco berigora)
    The brown falcon is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Lanner falcon is found in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lanner Falcon
    (Falco biarmicus)
    The Lanner falcon is found in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Nankeen kestrel is found in Australia, Christmas Island, Indonesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Nankeen Kestrel
    (Falco cenchroides)
    The Nankeen kestrel is found in Australia, Christmas Island, Indonesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Saker kestrel is found from eastern Europe to western China. It winters in northern Africa, the Middle East, and southwestern Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Saker Kestrel
    (Falco cherrug)
    The Saker kestrel is found from eastern Europe to western China. It winters in northern Africa, the Middle East, and southwestern Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The red-headed falcon is found in Asia and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Red-Headed Falcon
    (Falco chicquera)
    The red-headed falcon is found in Asia and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • In North America, the merlin breeds in Canada and the extreme northern U.S. It winters from the West Coast, the Southwest, and the Deep South to the Caribbean and northern South America. It is also found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The merlin is found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Merlin
    (Falco columbarius)
    In North America, the merlin breeds in Canada and the extreme northern U.S. It winters from the West Coast, the Southwest, and the Deep South to the Caribbean and northern South America. It is also found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The merlin is found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The sooty falcon breeds in the Middle East and northern Africa and winters along the coast of southeast Africa and Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Sooty Falcon
    (Falco concolor)
    The sooty falcon breeds in the Middle East and northern Africa and winters along the coast of southeast Africa and Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • Eleonora's falcon breeds in the Mediterranean region and winters in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Eleonora's Falcon
    (Falco eleonorae)
    Eleonora's falcon breeds in the Mediterranean region and winters in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Aplomado falcon is found from southern Texas and New Mexico, where it has been reintroduced, to South America. It is also found in the Caribbean. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Aplomado Falcon
    (Falco femoralis)
    The Aplomado falcon is found from southern Texas and New Mexico, where it has been reintroduced, to South America. It is also found in the Caribbean. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Australian hobby is found in Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Australian Hobby
    (Falco longipennis)
    The Australian hobby is found in Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The prairie falcon is found from southern British Columbia and Saskatchewan in Canada south to Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Prairie Falcon
    (Falco mexicanus)
    The prairie falcon is found from southern British Columbia and Saskatchewan in Canada south to Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The lesser kestrel is found in southern Europe, northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, and western Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lesser Kestrel
    (Falco naumanni)
    The lesser kestrel is found in southern Europe, northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, and western Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Malagasy kestrel is found in Madagascar and the Seychelles. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Malagasy Kestrel
    (Falco newtoni)
    The Malagasy kestrel is found in Madagascar and the Seychelles. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The New Zealand falcon is found in New Zealand. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    New Zealand Falcon
    (Falco novaeseelandiae)
    The New Zealand falcon is found in New Zealand. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • Peregrine falcons are found in most regions of the world, except Antarctica. In North America, it breeds from Alaska and the Canadian arctic south though the western United State into Mexico and from New England to Virginia on the East Coast, including New Hampshire. It winters along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Peregrine Falcon
    (Falco peregrinus)
    Peregrine falcons are found in most regions of the world, except Antarctica. In North America, it breeds from Alaska and the Canadian arctic south though the western United State into Mexico and from New England to Virginia on the East Coast, including New Hampshire. It winters along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The bat falcon is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Bat Falcon
    (Falco rufigularis)
    The bat falcon is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The greater kestrel is found in Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Greater Kestrel
    (Falco rupicoloides)
    The greater kestrel is found in Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • In North America, the gyrfalcon breeds in Alaska and northern Canada. It winters south to Washington, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, and Maine. The gyrfalcon winter in New Hampshire. It is also found in northern Europe and Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gyrfalcon
    (Falco rusticolus)
    In North America, the gyrfalcon breeds in Alaska and northern Canada. It winters south to Washington, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, and Maine. The gyrfalcon winter in New Hampshire. It is also found in northern Europe and Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The American kestrel breeds throughout North and South America from near the tree line in Alaska and Canada south to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The American kestrel breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    American Kestrel
    (Falco sparverius)
    The American kestrel breeds throughout North and South America from near the tree line in Alaska and Canada south to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The American kestrel breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Eurasian hobby is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Eurasian Hobby
    (Falco subbuteo)
    The Eurasian hobby is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black falcon is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black Falcon
    (Falco subniger)
    The black falcon is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The common kestrel is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Common Kestrel
    (Falco tinnunculus)
    The common kestrel is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-footed falcon breeds in eastern Europe and west, central, and north-central Asia. It winters in southern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Red-Footed Falcon
    (Falco vespertinus)
    The red-footed falcon breeds in eastern Europe and west, central, and north-central Asia. It winters in southern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The laughing falcon is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Laughing Falcon
    (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
    The laughing falcon is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The barred forest-falcon is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Barred Forest-Falcon
    (Micrastur ruficollis)
    The barred forest-falcon is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Philippine falconet is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Philippine Falconet
    (Microhierax erythrogenys)
    The Philippine falconet is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-headed caracara is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Headed Caracara
    (Milvago chimachima)
    The yellow-headed caracara is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Chimango caracara is found in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Chimango Caracara
    (Milvago chimango)
    The Chimango caracara is found in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The striated caracara is found in Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Striated Caracara
    (Phalcoboenus australis)
    The striated caracara is found in Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The carunculated caracara is found in Colombia and Ecuador. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Carunculated Caracara
    (Phalcoboenus carunculatus)
    The carunculated caracara is found in Colombia and Ecuador. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The mountain caracara is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Mountain Caracara
    (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
    The mountain caracara is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The pygmy falcon is found in the Botswana, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pygmy Falcon
    (Polihierax semitorquatus)
    The pygmy falcon is found in the Botswana, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

The southern crested caracara is one of the species in this family.
The southern crested caracara is one of the species in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

American Kestrel - Falco sparveriusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinusLeast ConcernThreatened in NHNorth/Central AmericaSouth AmericaAsiaAfricaEuropeAustralia/Oceania

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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