What Are Falcons and How Are They Used in Falconry?

Falcons are a distinct group of birds of prey — long-winged, pointed-wing raptors built for speed and open-air pursuit — and falconers use them mainly to hunt game in flight rather than to flush and chase prey through cover. If you are trying to understand the category, the species involved, or how a bird is chosen and trained, the short answer is: falcons are the fast, high-altitude hunters of falconry, and they are typically trained to circle above a falconer and "wait on" before stooping at quarry.

What Makes a Falcon a Falcon

Falcons differ from hawks, eagles, and other raptors in both build and hunting style:

• Wings: long and pointed, suited to sustained fast flight rather than short bursts through trees.
• Flight: rapid, agile, often at height; many species stoop (dive) at prey.
• Hunting method: pursuit and capture in open air, not ambush from cover.
• Typical quarry: birds such as gamebirds and pigeons, depending on species and training.

This is why falconry with falcons is often described as a flight sport: the falconer's role is to position the bird and the quarry so the falcon can do what it is built to do.

Common Falcon Species and Subspecies in Falconry

Breeders and falconers work with a range of falcons and their subspecies. Vila Falco, a breeding centre in Portugal supervised by Eduardo Cabral, lists the following as its regular breeding stock:

The site also names goshawks, gyrfalcons, and other raptors among the birds it breeds. Note that the golden eagle and goshawk are not falcons — they are included here because a breeding centre may work across several raptor groups, and falconers may keep more than one type.

Why Subspecies Matter

Subspecies within a species can differ in size, origin, and flight characteristics. A peregrine subspecies from a colder or more northerly range may differ in build and behaviour from another. For a falconer, this affects:

• the quarry the bird is suited to,
• the style of flight to expect,
• training and conditioning needs.

How Falcons Are Used in Falconry

Falconry with falcons generally follows a pattern:

1. Selection. The falconer chooses a species or subspecies suited to the local quarry and terrain.
2. Training. The bird is trained to return to the falconer, to follow, and to "wait on" — circle at height while the falconer moves game.
3. Flight. The falconer positions the quarry; the falcon stoops or pursues.
4. Recall and reward. The bird is called back and fed, reinforcing the partnership.

This differs from hawking with short-winged birds, where the hawk is typically flown from the fist or followed through cover. Falconry with falcons depends more on the bird's own flight at distance.

Choosing a Falcon: What to Compare

If you are deciding which falcon fits your situation, compare along these dimensions:

• Quarry available locally — match the bird to the game you can legally and practically hunt.
• Terrain — open ground suits long-winged falcons; dense cover suits other raptors.
• Experience level — some species and subspecies demand more skill and time.
• Source — specialist breeders select for health and hunting ability; ask about the bird's background and the breeder's track record.
• Legal requirements — falconry and raptor keeping are regulated; check the rules where you live before acquiring a bird.

Where Falcons for Falconry Come From

Purpose-bred falcons are produced by specialist breeders. Vila Falco describes itself as "a dedicated group of falconers with a common goal, to produce excellent birds of prey to be able to maintain our sport, falconry," with breeding supervised by Eduardo Cabral at its facilities. The centre is based in Sobral Monte Agraço, Portugal, and can be contacted at [email protected] or (00351) 937251553.

If you are looking for a bird, a breeder like this is a starting point for understanding what species and subspecies are available and how they are produced. Confirm current availability, health documentation, and any transport or legal requirements directly with the breeder, since these details are not stated on the site.