the.com/falcon
nature's guided missile, diving at speeds that would knock a human unconscious
means A bird of prey known for its long pointed wings and astonishing diving speed, several species of which have been trained for hunting since ancient times.
from From Latin 'falco,' which may come from 'falx,' a sickle or curved blade — pointing either to the bird's hooked talons and beak or to the scythe-like silhouette of its outstretched wings. It glided into English through Old French 'faucon.'
- top speed
- peregrines dive over 240 mph, fastest animal alive
- breathing trick
- bony nostril cones tame air at terminal velocity
- eye power
- sees prey clearly from over a mile away
- ancient gig
- hunted with humans for over 4,000 years
- city dweller
- now nests on skyscrapers, hunting pigeons downtown
for instance
peregrine falcon — fastest animal on earth, reaches 240+ mph in hunting dives
gyrfalcon — largest falcon species, apex predator of arctic regions
harris hawk — only falcon that hunts cooperatively in family groups