falcon

Everyday

1. A falcon is a fast bird of prey with long pointed wings and a hooked beak that catches other birds and small animals. tree →
2. The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth when it dives through the air. tree →
3. In folk tales, a falcon can be an enchanted person who changes shape. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons falcons come up in food chains, adaptations (sharp eyesight, curved talons, streamlined bodies) and conservation: peregrine falcons nearly died out because of pesticides and have since come back, and now even nest on city skyscrapers and cathedrals. In history lessons, falconry was a sport of kings and nobles, training falcons to hunt. Falcons are also national symbols for some countries.

Examples

• The peregrine falcon dived at amazing speed. tree →
• Falcons have sharp talons to catch their prey. tree →
• A falcon nests on the tower of our cathedral. tree →
• In the Middle Ages, nobles hunted with trained falcons. tree →
• The falcon hovered and then swooped down. tree →
• Falcons can see a mouse from high in the sky. tree →
• We watched the falcon show at the castle. tree →
• The Falcon smote upon the ground, became a brave youth, and said: tree →

Note

Plural «falcons». Say «FAL-kun» or «FAWL-kun». Falcons, hawks and eagles are all birds of prey but different groups. «Falconry» is training falcons to hunt; «falconer» is the person.

In Jewish tradition

One of the birds listed as unclean and forbidden as food. In Job it is a bird of sharp sight.

Interpretation. Tradition counts it among the non-kosher birds of prey. Job uses its keen eye to show that wisdom's path is hidden even from the sharpest sight.

Examples

• and the kite, and the falcon after its kinds; (Torah LEV.11.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• and the glede, and the falcon, and the kite after its kinds; (Torah DEU.14.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• That path no bird of prey knoweth, neither hath the falcon's eye seen it; (Writings JOB.28.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural «falcons». Say «FAL-kun» or «FAWL-kun». Falcons, hawks and eagles are all birds of prey but different groups. «Falconry» is training falcons to hunt; «falconer» is the person.