Differences between Egret and Falcon

Egret and Falcon are two classes of birds that belong to the Ardeidae and Falconidae families respectively.

Egrets are birds that symbolise purity and strength. They belong to the species of Herons. These birds have white plumage that were used in earlier times for dress and trade. Egrets differ from other species of Herons by their mating displays and the pure white plumes they develop in the breeding season.

Falcons are birds of prey. They are known for their agility and sharp vision. They have superior hunting skills, characterized by quick identification, chase, and capture. Their back, head, and wings are bluish grey, while their neck and belly are white with greyish black markings. The skin around the beak, the legs, and feet are yellow. The beak of Falcons is sharply bent at the tip, where they also have a sharp tooth that helps in killing the prey. The talons on the feet are long, sharp, and curved. The Falcon family includes about 40 species.

Where are Egret and Falcon found?

Egrets live close to wetlands, be it fresh or salt. You can find them near seas, rivers, marshes, ponds, and thick forests. They were originally found in Europe, Asia, and Africa but have later spread across the world. As they cannot survive colder weather, they are not distributed in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Falcons live everywhere where they can find food. They flourish near coastlines, but can be found in river valleys, mountains, deserts, grasslands, and forests too. They exist in all parts of the world, except Antarctica.

What do Egret and Falcon eat?

Egrets are carnivores that source their feeds generally from water systems. So, their diet mostly includes fish, water insects, frogs, snakes, and crustaceans. However, Egrets sometimes also hunt on land and eat insects, grasshoppers, and rodents.

Falcons are carnivores and chiefly eat other birds, pigeons being their favorite. They prey on birds like doves, gulls, ducks, bats, and waterfowl. Falcons are capable of seizing birds in mid-air. They sometimes also eat fish, frogs, squirrels, mice, and insects.

Here are a few pointers about the eating patterns between Egret and Falcon

• Both Egret and Falcon eat Fish.
• Both Egret and Falcon eat Frogs.
• Both Egret and Falcon eat Lizards.
• Both Egret and Falcon eat Snakes.
• Both Egret and Falcon eat Turtles.
• Both Egret and Falcon eat Squirrels.
• Gophers are commonly eaten by Egret, but not by all Falcon.
• Baby Ducks are consumed by both Egretand Falcon.
• Mice are eaten by both Egret and Falcon.

Size of Egret and Falcon?

When it comes to size, Egrets are smaller than Herons. They are a little less than three feet tall and have wings that measure 1.3-1.7 metres.. Falcons are usually 15-60 centimeters long. Their wingspan could be 74-120 centimeters.

An adult Egret usually weighs 1.1-3.3 pounds. while The average weight of Falcons is 1.5-3.3 pounds. The male birds weigh 0.73-2.20 pounds, while the females weigh 1.5-3.3 pounds. The Gyrfalcon is the heaviest of all species. It weighs 3.3 pounds.

Where do Egret and Falcon nest?

Egrets generally build large and messy nests in their colonies that even consist of birds of other species. The nests are usually constructed on shrubs or lowly trees, typically 10-40 feet from the ground. It is mostly the male egret that establishes the nesting area by creating a nest platform. Both the male and female egrets incubate the eggs for a period of around 24 days.

Falcons do not build their nests. They use tree holes, ledges in cliffs, or discarded nests of other birds to lay their eggs. Both partners engage in incubating the eggs, which hatch in 29-32 days. The young birds will be able to fly when they are about six weeks old. Nevertheless, they stay under their parents’ care till they are about 10 weeks old.

How long do Egret and Falcon live?

Lifespan of an Egret is up to 15 years in the wild. The younger ones could face high mortality due to climate, migration, predators, and siblicide. The oldest Great Egret lived for almost 23 years in the state of Ohio.

The average lifespan of Falcons is 13 years, although they may live up to 16-20 years in the wild. Many birds die young due to malnutrition. Several adults are also recorded to be dying early because of habitat loss, DDT poisoning, airplane accidents, and environmental issues.

Are Egret or Falcon migratory birds?

Egrets become residents in warmer locations. However, in regions where they cannot withstand the cold, they tend to migrate after the breeding season. Migration usually happens from Europe to Africa and south Asia and from northern parts of the USA to central and southern America.

Not all Falcons migrate. Peregrines from Alaska and Greenland migrate to USA and South America during winters. The Amur Falcon migrates in winter from Russia and China to India and South Africa. Most other species remain in their habitats throughout the year if the climate is favorable.

Do Egret and Falcon fly in flocks?

A group of Egrets is known by different names, such as colony, siege, skewer, wedge, and congregation. Egrets are sociable and hunt in flocks. But they can also remain isolated. They generally gather during sunsets and roost in colonies.

A group of Falcons is called a cast or cauldron. Falcons are solitary birds. They live, hunt, and migrate alone. They socialize only in the breeding season.

Are Egret or Falcon protected?

Governments across the world have taken measures to protect Egrets under wildlife conservation and migratory bird laws. Egrets are protected in various countries like the USA, UK, China, Taiwan, China, Russia, India, and France.

Falcons are protected across the world under various laws like Migratory Bird Act, Wildlife Conservation Act, and the International CITES treaty. The vulnerable species are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Are Egret or Falcon endangered?

The population of Egrets dwindled to near extinction in the 19th century owing to devious hunting of the birds for their plumes. However, introduction of protection and conservation laws have helped in resurgence of their population. Egrets can now be commonly found in wetlands and coasts across the world. They are not an endangered species.

Falcons are not endangered. The American Peregrine was classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Conservation Act in 1970. However, it was removed from the list in 1999. The existence of the bird was threatened owing to DDT poisoning. However, the banning of DDT together with other recovery projects have saved the species from becoming extinct.

Can Egret and Falcon fly?

Egrets start flying when they are six to seven weeks old. They are dynamic flyers with an ability to cover 25 miles in an hour. They tuck their neck in and hold their legs freely in flight. They are capable of flying long distances during migration.

Falcons are splendid flyers. They have thin, tapered wings that help them to cut down drag and fly in high speeds. With sharp eyesight, the birds can dive at speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour to capture their prey. The average flying speed of Peregrine Falcons, the fastest animal in the world, is 242 miles an hour. Falcons are solitary travelers that fly about 15,500 miles each year. Amur falcons are the longest migratory birds in the world. They fly over 13,600 miles at a stretch.

Can Egret and Falcon swim?

Egrets are generally wading birds. They rarely swim to catch their preys. Further, they have non-webbed feet that makes swimming difficult for them.

Falcons do not swim. The structure of their body and feet are not ideal for swimming. However, some Falcon species dive into water to catch the prey.

Mating patterns among Egret and Falcon

Egrets acquire heightened beauty during the breeding season – the reason for which bird watchers yearn to catch a glimpse of them during this time. The birds start mating when they are two or three years old. Each breeding season of the year, the male egret selects a nesting area where it builds a nest platform. It then displays its special long white plumes to find a mate for courtship. Egrets generally breed in their colonies and seldom in solitary pairs.

Falcons start mating when they are about two years old. The male performs courtship displays in the air to attract the female. He also fetches preys for the female, who in turn shows her acceptance by perching in a suitable spot. The female typically lays three to four eggs, which are around two inches long and pink or brownish in color. Both partners take turns to incubate the eggs. After the eggs hatch, the female usually sits on the young ones to keep them warm while the male gets food for her. The partners protect the young ones by attacking anything that intimidates them.

When is the mating season for Egret and Falcon ?

The mating season for Egrets is usually October-December in the southern hemisphere and March-May in the northern hemisphere. They breed only once a year.

Falcons are lonely birds that come together only during mating. The mating season depends on the location. It is generally March-July.

Do Egret and Falcon mate for life?

Egrets are monogamous during each breeding season. However, they may not stay with the same partner every year. They are known to have multiple partners in their lifetime.

Falcons are monogamous and mate for life. They also tend to use the same nest every breeding season.

How do Egret and Falcon sleep?

Egrets sleep at night while standing on one foot in water to sense vibrations from predators. They keep their heads retracted under a wing. They generally roost in flocks to stay safe from attacks.

Falcons are active during the day, although they may take occasional naps. They sleep during the night while standing on one leg and resting their head on their back.

Can Egret and Falcon be eaten?

Egrets used to be eaten in earlier times in some parts of Africa. However, they no longer can be hunted for their meat. It is illegal and will invite hefty fines.

Falcons were eaten in the past in some cultures like Hare and Strait. They ate the bird meat by boiling, frying, or roasting. However, consumption of Falcons is no longer permitted by stringent conservation laws.

Can you hunt Egret or Falcon?

Egrets were hunted ruthlessly until late 19th century for their plumes. This led to their near extinction. Nevertheless, new anti-hunting, conservation, and migratory laws adopted across the world have saved the species. Egrets are widespread and a common sight now.

Hunting of Falcons was widespread for sport, falconry, feathers, skin, and meat. Although hunting has reduced due to strict laws, falconry is still practiced in countries like United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Austria.

Can you feed Egret or Falcon?

Feeding wild animals and birds in public places is not permitted in places like USA, Singapore, and Dubai. In captivity, Egrets can be fed with fish, eggs, insects, earthworms, and meat.

It is illegal to feed wild birds in many countries. However, in countries like the USA, one can own and feed Falcons. The birds are carnivores and should be fed insects, rodents, and ground meat.