Differences between Falcon and Heron

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

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.

Herons are intelligent birds of medium to large size. They are a symbol of beauty with long legs and neck. They are wonderful aviators that can fly at a speed of nearly 30 miles an hour. The Heron family includes several species such as Egrets and Bitterns.

Where are Falcon and Heron found?

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.

Herons live near freshwater and coasts. While most species are found in the tropics, they do exist in lowland and alpine areas. They can be seen in all parts of the world, except Antarctica.

What do Falcon and Heron eat?

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.

Herons are carnivores that feed on the boundaries of rivers, seas, ponds, and lakes. They are named as one of the smartest birds for their skills in advanced feeding habits and procurement of food. They usually feed on aquatic animals such as fish, frogs, reptiles, insects, eels, and crustaceans. In winters, when these water animals move down to deeper waters, herons manage to hunt smaller birds, rabbits, and squirrels on the land.

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

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

Size of Falcon and Heron?

When it comes to size, Falcons are usually 15-60 centimeters long. Their wingspan could be 74-120 centimeters.. Herons are generally about three feet tall. They have broad wings, usually twice their body size. The wings spread out to measure 5.5-6.5 feet.

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. while Herons usually weigh 4.6-7.3 pounds. The males are bigger and weigh more than the females.

Where do Falcon and Heron nest?

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.

Herons construct their nests close to feeding areas like wetlands and lakes. The nests are built on tall trees to stay safe from predators. It is the female that builds the nest from twigs, roots, and dead grass gathered by the male. The female generally lays three to five eggs that have an incubation period of around 25 days. Once the eggs hatch, both female and male partners participate in getting food for their young ones.

How long do Falcon and Heron live?

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.

The average life expectancy of a Heron is five years in the wild. Some young ones do not survive after the first year due to scarcity of food, while some of them fall prey to predators. The longest surviving great wild blue heron is known to have lived for 23 years.

Are Falcon or Heron migratory birds?

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.

Herons are very mobile, however their migration depends on where they are. They prefer warmer climates, so tend to migrate in winters. After the breeding season, the birds explore new feeding areas and migrate alone or in small groups of 12 during the night. The Grey Herons are mostly residential and stay put in Britain and other parts of Europe. On the other hand, the Great Blue Herons migrate from March to May every year, flying around 7,000 feet above sea level.

Do Falcon and Heron fly in flocks?

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.

A flock of Herons is called a siege or colony. Herons are mostly solitary birds – they migrate alone or in small groups. However, during the breeding season in spring and summer, they live in colonies. This practise helps them to nest together and protect their young ones from predators.

Are Falcon or Heron protected?

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.

Herons are an important part of the ecosystem at wetlands. Therefore, they are protected birds under the law of the USA, Great Britain, Ireland, France, and many other countries. This means that killing or trying to kill a Heron is a punishable offence.

Are Falcon or Heron endangered?

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.

Herons are not endangered, however their population may be reducing owing to destruction of their natural habitats and scarcity of food. Meanwhile, some Heron species like Humblot’s Heron and White-bellied Heron are labelled as critically endangered.

Can Falcon and Heron fly?

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.

Herons have a wide wingspan that allows them to fly at speeds of nearly 30 miles an hour. Further, they have 12 rectrices that help them maneuver while flying. The bird is known to cover up to 2,500 miles in six days. Their wings open up wide, their long legs trail freely, while their neck retracts into an S shape during flight.

Can Falcon and Heron swim?

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.

Herons are not basically water birds. They find their catch on the margins of lakes, rivers, and shores – or hover on water to dive in and catch a fish. They have slightly webbed feet, so they may be able to swim occasionally.

Mating patterns among Falcon and Heron

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.

Herons start mating when they are about three years old. During the breeding season, the male and female birds undergo color changes and develop the nuptial plumage. Herons engage in breeding once a year, atop tall trees in case of larger herons and in bushes for smaller ones. The male and female Herons engage in Circle Fight, Greeting Ceremony, and courtship displays for several days to abate their natural aggression, after which the male demonstrates a gesture of acceptance by offering a stick for the nest to the female.

When is the mating season for Falcon and Heron ?

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

Mating season for Herons is usually during March-May in the northern hemisphere and November-April in the southern hemisphere.

Do Falcon and Heron mate for life?

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

Herons go through extensive mating rituals, which enhance the bond between the male and female. They stay together for an entire breeding season and sometimes for a few years – however not for life. The birds change partners about four times in their lifetime.

How do Falcon and Heron sleep?

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.

During the day, Herons rest in peaceful and protected places with their neck bent. Sometimes they also sleep standing in water so that vibrations caused by the entry of predators will wake them up. At night, they sleep on high trees to keep themselves safe from the predators on land.

Can Falcon and Heron be eaten?

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.

Herons have been part of human meals since bygone times. They were generally roasted or boiled and eaten with spices. The fat in a Heron’s body was thought to have medicinal benefits. However, consumption of Herons has reduced drastically as they are protected birds under the law.

Can you hunt Falcon or Heron?

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.

Herons used to be hunted by humans for meat and feathers besides for sport. However, the bird is now protected by the laws of several countries. They are also protected under treaties for migratory birds. Therefore, hunting Herons is illegal.

Can you feed Falcon or Heron?

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.

Feeding wild animals and birds in public places is not permitted in places like USA, Singapore, and Dubai. If you have to feed a Heron in captivity, feed it with fish, frogs, meat, and eggs.