Falconiformes

/ˌfælkəˈnɪfɔːrmiːz/ noun

Definition

An order of birds including hawks, eagles, and falcons; a large taxonomic group of predatory birds.

Etymology

From Latin falco (falcon) plus -formis (form) plus -es (order ending). This taxonomic order groups together all birds with falcon-like hunting characteristics.

Kelly Says

Falconiformes is one of the most ancient bird orders—fossils show that the hawk and falcon body plan has been so perfectly designed that it barely changed in 60 million years!

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