ALCONS ARE NATURE’S FIGHTER JETS, stealth bombers and next-gen defensive drones rolled into one. These aerial artists can zoom, aim, float and, of course, dive with prowess unrivaled in the animal kingdom. Even other birds of prey pale in comparison when it comes to the falcon’s sheer athletic ability.
“They’re so different from hawks, eagles and owls,” says Alvaro Jaramillo, a California-based ornithologist and owner of the birding outfitter Alvaro’s Adventures. “They’re intelligent and play tricks.” In fact, falcons are closely related to caracaras, parrots and seriemas, which are all known for their curiosity and cognition.
“The skin around falcons’ eyes makes them really unique,” Alvaro says. “It’s almost like they’re perceiving you.” From a birder’s standpoint, these birds are worth perceiving too. With six different species in the United…
