KestrelThe term kestrel (from French: crécerelle, derivative from crécelle, i.e. ratchet) is the common name given to several species of predatory birds from the falcongenusFalco.
Hobby (bird)A hobby is a fairly small, very swift falcon with long, narrow wings. There are four birds called "hobby", and some others, which although termed "falcon", are very similar. All specialise in being superb aerialists.
Bird of preyBirds of prey or predatory birds, also known as raptors, are hypercarnivorous species of bird that actively hunt and feed on other vertebrates, mainly mammals, reptiles, and smaller birds. In addition to speed and strength, these predators have keen eyesight for detecting prey from a distance or during flight, strong feet with sharp talons for grasping or killing prey, and powerful, curved beaks for tearing flesh.
SpeciesBasic unit of taxonomic classification, below genusThe hierarchy of biological classification's eight major taxonomic ranks. A genus contains one or more species. Minor intermediate ranks are not shown.A species (pl. species) is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity.
Bird wingBird wings are paired forelimbs in birds, which evolved specialized feathers to generate lift and thrust and allow the birds to fly. Terrestrial flightless birds have reduced wings or none at all (for example, moa). In aquatic flightless birds (penguins), wings can serve as flippers.
FalconidaeThe falcons and caracaras are around 65 species of diurnal birds of prey that make up the family Falconidae (representing all extant species in the order Falconiformes).
EoceneSecond epoch of the Paleogene PeriodSubdivision of the Paleogene according to the ICS, as of 2024.Vertical axis scale: Millions of years agoEtymologyName formalityFormalUsage informationCelestial bodyEarthRegional usageGlobal (ICS)Time scale(s) usedICS Time ScaleDefinitionChronological unitEpochStratigraphic unitSeriesTime span formalityFormalLower boundary definitionStrong negative anomaly in δC values at the PETMLower boundary GSSPDababiya section, Luxor, Egypt25°30′00″N32°31′52″E / 25.5000°N 32.5311°E / 25.5000; 32.5311Lower GSSP ratified2003Upper boundary definitionLAD of Planktonic ForaminifersHantkenina and Cribrohantkenina [es]Upper boundary GSSPMassignano quarry section, Massignano [sh], Ancona, Italy43°31′58″N13°36′04″E / 43.5328°N 13.6011°E / 43.5328; 13.6011Upper GSSP ratified1992The Eocene (IPA: ) is a geological epoch that began about 56 million years ago (Ma).
Flight featherFlight feathers (Pennae volatus) are the long, stiff, asymmetrically shaped, but symmetrically paired pennaceous feathers on the wings or tail of a bird; those on the wings are called remiges (), singular remex (), while those on the tail are called rectrices ( or ), singular rectrix (). The primary function of the flight feathers is to aid in the generation of both thrust and lift, thereby enabling flight.
Hover (behaviour)Hovering is the ability exhibited by some winged animals to remain relatively stationary in midair. Usually this involves rapid downward thrusts of the wings to generate upward lift. Sometimes hovering is maintained by flapping or soaring into a headwind; this form of hovering is called "wind hovering", "windhovering", or "kiting". True hoverersHummingbirdsHummingbirds hover over flowers to obtain nectar, flapping their wings at up to 70 beats per second.GenusGenus (; pl.: genera) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family as used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name forms the first part of the binomial species name for each species within the genus. E.g. Panthera leo (lion) and Panthera onca (jaguar) are two species within the genus Panthera.
AntarcticaAntarctica ( ) is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean), it contains the geographic South Pole. Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent, being about 40% larger than Europe, and has an area of 14,200,000 km2 (5,500,000 sq mi). Most of Antarctica is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, with an average thickness of 1.9 km (1.2 mi).SubfamilyA subfamily (Latin: subfamilia, plural subfamiliae) is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, positioned below family and above genus. It is used to classify groups of related genera within a family, helping organize the diversity of life more precisely. Standard nomenclature rules end botanical subfamily names with the suffix "-oideae", whereas zoological subfamily names end with "-inae".
broadwingRelated word or term.Special:Search/falconRelated word or term.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.