Falconry Exam - Section 3 - Other Falconry Birds Exam Questions and Answers
Falconry Exam - Section 3 - Other Falconry
Birds Exam Questions and Answers
Question 1
Defining characteristics of true falcons include... a. possessing heavy crushing feet b.
having a "toothed" or "notched" beak c. feeding only on birds d. having the most
maneuverability
Correct Answer
Ans. b All true falcons in the Genus: Falco have a "toothed" or "notched" beak. The
"tomial teeth" are on the maxilla (upper mandible). The notches are on the lower
mandible.
Question 2
True or false: Large falcons kill their prey primarily by the tremendous gripping power
of their feet.
Correct Answer
Ans. False Falcons are known for subduing their prey quickly by severing its spinal
cord with their beak.
Question 3
The hawks that dispatch their vertebrate prey by severing the spinal cord are the... a.
Falcons b. Buteos. c. Accipiters d. Eagles
Correct Answer
Ans. a The four projections on a falcon's beak (2 upper and 2 lower) are used to
shear or sever the spinal cord of their prey, sometimes with one well-placed bite
that helps kill the prey quickly. The "tomial teeth" are on the maxilla (upper
mandible). The notches are on the lower mandible.
Page 1 of 8
, Falconry Exam - Section 3 - Other Falconry Birds Exam Questions and Answers
Question 4
The bird least likely to "slice" is the... a. Peregrine Falcon b. Red-tailed Hawk c. Golden
Eagle d. Goshawk
Correct Answer
Ans. a Slicing is the forcible discharge of excrement by Accipiters, Buteos, and
Eagles; all Falcons drop their mutes straight down after they have left the eyrie.
Question 5
Stick nests are not built by... a. Accipiters b. true Falcons c. Buteos d. Eagles
Correct Answer
Ans. b True falcons do not build their own nests. They use ledges, hollow trees, old
nests of other species, and manmade structures for nesting. Caracaras and forest
falcons, however, do.
Question 6
True or False: In the case of most falcons, the male does most of the hunting for
about the first two weeks after the young hatch.
Correct Answer
Ans. True. When the young are quite small, the male will do most of the hunting. As
the young continue to grow and their demands exceed the capability of the male to
meet their needs, the falcon will also fly out in search of food.
Question 7
The species that is most apt to occupy and defend the largest territory is the... a.
Gyrfalcon b. Northern Harrier c. Cooper's Hawk d. American Kestrel
Correct Answer
Ans. a Generally, the larger the bird, the more territory it needs to provide food and
shelter for a nesting pair and their young. Golden Eagle territories in Europe have
been measured at 16 square miles, and those of Gyrfalcons in the northern latitudes
at 14 or 15 square miles. Northern Harriers, Cooper's Hawks, and American Kestrels
are not likely to require more than 1 mile. The far-ranging habits of Gyrfalcons also
require more territory.
Page 2 of 8
Falconry Exam - Section 3 - Other Falconry
Birds Exam Questions and Answers
Question 1
Defining characteristics of true falcons include... a. possessing heavy crushing feet b.
having a "toothed" or "notched" beak c. feeding only on birds d. having the most
maneuverability
Correct Answer
Ans. b All true falcons in the Genus: Falco have a "toothed" or "notched" beak. The
"tomial teeth" are on the maxilla (upper mandible). The notches are on the lower
mandible.
Question 2
True or false: Large falcons kill their prey primarily by the tremendous gripping power
of their feet.
Correct Answer
Ans. False Falcons are known for subduing their prey quickly by severing its spinal
cord with their beak.
Question 3
The hawks that dispatch their vertebrate prey by severing the spinal cord are the... a.
Falcons b. Buteos. c. Accipiters d. Eagles
Correct Answer
Ans. a The four projections on a falcon's beak (2 upper and 2 lower) are used to
shear or sever the spinal cord of their prey, sometimes with one well-placed bite
that helps kill the prey quickly. The "tomial teeth" are on the maxilla (upper
mandible). The notches are on the lower mandible.
Page 1 of 8
, Falconry Exam - Section 3 - Other Falconry Birds Exam Questions and Answers
Question 4
The bird least likely to "slice" is the... a. Peregrine Falcon b. Red-tailed Hawk c. Golden
Eagle d. Goshawk
Correct Answer
Ans. a Slicing is the forcible discharge of excrement by Accipiters, Buteos, and
Eagles; all Falcons drop their mutes straight down after they have left the eyrie.
Question 5
Stick nests are not built by... a. Accipiters b. true Falcons c. Buteos d. Eagles
Correct Answer
Ans. b True falcons do not build their own nests. They use ledges, hollow trees, old
nests of other species, and manmade structures for nesting. Caracaras and forest
falcons, however, do.
Question 6
True or False: In the case of most falcons, the male does most of the hunting for
about the first two weeks after the young hatch.
Correct Answer
Ans. True. When the young are quite small, the male will do most of the hunting. As
the young continue to grow and their demands exceed the capability of the male to
meet their needs, the falcon will also fly out in search of food.
Question 7
The species that is most apt to occupy and defend the largest territory is the... a.
Gyrfalcon b. Northern Harrier c. Cooper's Hawk d. American Kestrel
Correct Answer
Ans. a Generally, the larger the bird, the more territory it needs to provide food and
shelter for a nesting pair and their young. Golden Eagle territories in Europe have
been measured at 16 square miles, and those of Gyrfalcons in the northern latitudes
at 14 or 15 square miles. Northern Harriers, Cooper's Hawks, and American Kestrels
are not likely to require more than 1 mile. The far-ranging habits of Gyrfalcons also
require more territory.
Page 2 of 8
