What birds are used in falconry?
At one time or another, one could assume that attempts have been made to fly most types of raptors in falconry. Traditionally however, only certain types of falcons, hawks and eagles have been used for hunting. The family of falcons, used in the sport, range greatly in size and in their overall approach to hunting. All of the birds mentioned here have the notable feature of long, pointed wings, and are therefore often referred to as Longwings or longwinged hawks as well as their more common name of falcon. The largest of the lot, the Gyrfalcon is said to be the fastest of all raptors in straight and level flight. They love the thrill of the chase and can pursue quarry over long distances. There are three distinct color phases of the Gyr, ranging from pure white to black, with the grey phase being the most common. The bird most synonymous with falconry is the Peregrine falcon. High, waiting-on style flights with dramatic stoops or dives are the preferred hunting method of this falcon. A
