Falconry Exam Prep Questions and Answers Latest
Falconry Exam Prep Questions and Answers
Latest
Question 1
A hawk is...
a. a generic term describing a non-eagle, non-vulture, diurnal bird of prey.
b. a member of the genus Accipiter.
c. a diurnal raptor with short rounded wings, long tail, and light eyes.
d. all of the above.
Correct Answer
Answer: d. The word hawk can be confusing for a beginner. Strictly speaking, a hawk
is a member of the genus Accipiter and includes the goshawk, Cooper's hawk, and
the sharp-shinned hawk of answer "b" and described in answer "c." The terms
"raptor" and "bird of prey" are interchangeable. The term "hawk" is often used as in
answer "a" to include, besides the species of genus Accipiter, the species of the
genera Falco (the longwings or falcons); Buteo, also called broadwings and
"buzzards" in Europe; the Pandion or osprey; Ictinia, Elanoides, Elanus, Rostrhamus,
and Chondrohierax, known collectively as kites; and the genus Circus, the harriers.
Question 2
A "bird of prey" or "raptor" is...
a. any bird that preys on other living creatures.
b. a bird with powerful taloned feet for grasping and killing, a hooked beak for
tearing flesh, and includes all members of the Orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes.
c. a member of the Order Falconiformes, but not the Order Strigiformes.
d. a member of the Order Strigiformes, but not the Order Falconiformes.
Correct Answer
Answer: b. The Order Falconiformes includes kites, vultures, hawks, eagles, and
falcons. The distantly related Order Strigiformes includes all owls. Both share the
common characteristics of talons and beaks and are considered "birds of prey" or
"raptors." Answer "a" is incorrect as the definition is too broad and would include
everything from the fish-eating pelican down to insect-eating warblers.
Page 1 of 158
, Falconry Exam Prep Questions and Answers Latest
Question 3
A falcon is...
a. the female of the species Falco peregrinus.
b. a generic term to include all raptors with long, pointed wings, long tails, small
heads, and broad shoulders.
c. any bird used in falconry.
d. "a" and "b" but not "c"
Correct Answer
Answer: d. Strictly speaking, the term falcon applies only to the female peregrine;
the male is called a tiercel by Europeans and classical falconers. However, "falcon"
has become a generic term referring to all of the members of the genus Falco, also
called longwings and described in answer "b." Answer "c" is incorrect as Accipiters
and Buteos are also used in the sport of falconry and are never referred to as
falcons.
Question 4
A buzzard is...
a. a member of the genus Buteo with wide core wings, a heavy body, and a short or
"stubby" tail and superb soaring capabilities.
b. a carrion-eating raptor with a featherless head and superb soaring capabilities.
c. the European vernacular for the genus of raptors that includes the red-tailed hawk,
the red-shouldered hawk, the ferruginous hawk, the common buzzard, and the
broad-winged hawk.
d. "a" and "c" but not "b"
Correct Answer
Answer: d. Answer "b" is incorrect. When the English arrived and started naming the
creatures around them, they called the vulture family "buzzards." By the time the
naturalists arrived to sort out the right names, the damage had been done. Thus, to
most Americans, the terms "buzzard" and "vulture" mean the same thing as in
answer "b." To the Europeans, "buzzard" strictly refers to the Buteos. This does not
mean that buteos will not eat carrion, but it is not their normal diet.
Page 2 of 158
, Falconry Exam Prep Questions and Answers Latest
Question 5
An eagle is...
a. a member of the genus Aquila with long, broad wings and a medium tail.
b. a large hawk-like bird.
c. any hawk-like bird larger than the female gyrfalcon.
d. all of the above
Correct Answer
Answer: a. Strictly speaking, the sixteen members of the genus Aquila are the "true"
eagles. However, there are more than fifty species of large hawk-like raptors with
the term "eagle" in their common names. They vary in size from the Wallace's hawk-
eagle which is about the average size of a red-tailed hawk and therefore smaller
than a gyrfalcon (rhymes with "cheer")-falcon (making answers "b" and "c" incorrect)
to the monkey-eating martial eagle which averages over thirteen pounds. Currently,
there are sixteen species of Aquila or true eagles, but that may change as
taxonomists move them around from time to time. Sea eagles feed on fish to some
extent; some species are strictly fish-eaters. The bald eagle is a sea eagle
(Haliaeetus) of which there are many species of worldwide distribution.
Question 6
What's the difference between falcons and hawks?
a. "Falcons" include only members of the Family Falconidae.
b. "Hawks" is a generic term like "raptor" that includes all the species in the Order
Falconiformes.
c. Anatomical and behavioral differences.
d. all of the above
Correct Answer
Answer: d. To falconers, the term "hawk" is both a generic term that is almost
interchangeable with the term "raptor." Yet at the same time "hawk" specifies those
birds of the genus Accipiter (goshawk, Cooper's hawk, and sharp-shinned hawk-the
"true" hawks). There are anatomical and behavioral differences that will be
discussed later in detail; please refer to the summary chart on page 5. The point is
to reiterate the term "hawk" is confusing in the sense that it covers nearly all
falconry raptors while referring to a specific group of hawks at the same time.
Page 3 of 158
, Falconry Exam Prep Questions and Answers Latest
Question 7
True or false. Hawks have long, pointed wings, long tails, small heads, and broad
shoulders.
Correct Answer
False. This is a trick question and is asked the same way many states pose questions
on their tests. While it's true that if the term "hawk" in the question is the generic
term including all birds of prey as described in question one, then the long-winged
raptors (genus Falco) are included and the answer is partially true. However, if the
answer is only partially true then the answer is "false." If "hawk" in this question
refers strictly to the members of the genus Accipiter, the true hawks, which have
short rounded wings, then the answer is clearly "false."
Question 8
True or false. In genus Falco, the third and/or fourth primary from the leading edge of
the wing is/are the longest.
Correct Answer
False. In genus Falco, the second primary from the leading edge of the wing is the
longest, thus giving the impression of "long, pointed" wings. In the buteos,
accipiters, and other hawk-like birds, it is the third and/or the fourth feather that is
the longest or they are of the same length. See charts on page 5 &11.
Question 9
Initial selection of a nesting area by migratory raptors, such as the prairie falcon,
accompanied later by aerial display, is generally made by the...
a. male, who returns first to the nesting area.
b. female, who remains year round.
c. neither hawk-it just happens.
d. none of the above.
Correct Answer
Answer: a. The male usually returns to the area first and chooses the nesting site.
Further, the male hunts and provides most of the food after the young have
hatched, while the female provides close-in protection, care, and feeding. Answer
"b" is incorrect. Generally, if one sex of a species migrates, both sexes migrate.
Page 4 of 158
Falconry Exam Prep Questions and Answers
Latest
Question 1
A hawk is...
a. a generic term describing a non-eagle, non-vulture, diurnal bird of prey.
b. a member of the genus Accipiter.
c. a diurnal raptor with short rounded wings, long tail, and light eyes.
d. all of the above.
Correct Answer
Answer: d. The word hawk can be confusing for a beginner. Strictly speaking, a hawk
is a member of the genus Accipiter and includes the goshawk, Cooper's hawk, and
the sharp-shinned hawk of answer "b" and described in answer "c." The terms
"raptor" and "bird of prey" are interchangeable. The term "hawk" is often used as in
answer "a" to include, besides the species of genus Accipiter, the species of the
genera Falco (the longwings or falcons); Buteo, also called broadwings and
"buzzards" in Europe; the Pandion or osprey; Ictinia, Elanoides, Elanus, Rostrhamus,
and Chondrohierax, known collectively as kites; and the genus Circus, the harriers.
Question 2
A "bird of prey" or "raptor" is...
a. any bird that preys on other living creatures.
b. a bird with powerful taloned feet for grasping and killing, a hooked beak for
tearing flesh, and includes all members of the Orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes.
c. a member of the Order Falconiformes, but not the Order Strigiformes.
d. a member of the Order Strigiformes, but not the Order Falconiformes.
Correct Answer
Answer: b. The Order Falconiformes includes kites, vultures, hawks, eagles, and
falcons. The distantly related Order Strigiformes includes all owls. Both share the
common characteristics of talons and beaks and are considered "birds of prey" or
"raptors." Answer "a" is incorrect as the definition is too broad and would include
everything from the fish-eating pelican down to insect-eating warblers.
Page 1 of 158
, Falconry Exam Prep Questions and Answers Latest
Question 3
A falcon is...
a. the female of the species Falco peregrinus.
b. a generic term to include all raptors with long, pointed wings, long tails, small
heads, and broad shoulders.
c. any bird used in falconry.
d. "a" and "b" but not "c"
Correct Answer
Answer: d. Strictly speaking, the term falcon applies only to the female peregrine;
the male is called a tiercel by Europeans and classical falconers. However, "falcon"
has become a generic term referring to all of the members of the genus Falco, also
called longwings and described in answer "b." Answer "c" is incorrect as Accipiters
and Buteos are also used in the sport of falconry and are never referred to as
falcons.
Question 4
A buzzard is...
a. a member of the genus Buteo with wide core wings, a heavy body, and a short or
"stubby" tail and superb soaring capabilities.
b. a carrion-eating raptor with a featherless head and superb soaring capabilities.
c. the European vernacular for the genus of raptors that includes the red-tailed hawk,
the red-shouldered hawk, the ferruginous hawk, the common buzzard, and the
broad-winged hawk.
d. "a" and "c" but not "b"
Correct Answer
Answer: d. Answer "b" is incorrect. When the English arrived and started naming the
creatures around them, they called the vulture family "buzzards." By the time the
naturalists arrived to sort out the right names, the damage had been done. Thus, to
most Americans, the terms "buzzard" and "vulture" mean the same thing as in
answer "b." To the Europeans, "buzzard" strictly refers to the Buteos. This does not
mean that buteos will not eat carrion, but it is not their normal diet.
Page 2 of 158
, Falconry Exam Prep Questions and Answers Latest
Question 5
An eagle is...
a. a member of the genus Aquila with long, broad wings and a medium tail.
b. a large hawk-like bird.
c. any hawk-like bird larger than the female gyrfalcon.
d. all of the above
Correct Answer
Answer: a. Strictly speaking, the sixteen members of the genus Aquila are the "true"
eagles. However, there are more than fifty species of large hawk-like raptors with
the term "eagle" in their common names. They vary in size from the Wallace's hawk-
eagle which is about the average size of a red-tailed hawk and therefore smaller
than a gyrfalcon (rhymes with "cheer")-falcon (making answers "b" and "c" incorrect)
to the monkey-eating martial eagle which averages over thirteen pounds. Currently,
there are sixteen species of Aquila or true eagles, but that may change as
taxonomists move them around from time to time. Sea eagles feed on fish to some
extent; some species are strictly fish-eaters. The bald eagle is a sea eagle
(Haliaeetus) of which there are many species of worldwide distribution.
Question 6
What's the difference between falcons and hawks?
a. "Falcons" include only members of the Family Falconidae.
b. "Hawks" is a generic term like "raptor" that includes all the species in the Order
Falconiformes.
c. Anatomical and behavioral differences.
d. all of the above
Correct Answer
Answer: d. To falconers, the term "hawk" is both a generic term that is almost
interchangeable with the term "raptor." Yet at the same time "hawk" specifies those
birds of the genus Accipiter (goshawk, Cooper's hawk, and sharp-shinned hawk-the
"true" hawks). There are anatomical and behavioral differences that will be
discussed later in detail; please refer to the summary chart on page 5. The point is
to reiterate the term "hawk" is confusing in the sense that it covers nearly all
falconry raptors while referring to a specific group of hawks at the same time.
Page 3 of 158
, Falconry Exam Prep Questions and Answers Latest
Question 7
True or false. Hawks have long, pointed wings, long tails, small heads, and broad
shoulders.
Correct Answer
False. This is a trick question and is asked the same way many states pose questions
on their tests. While it's true that if the term "hawk" in the question is the generic
term including all birds of prey as described in question one, then the long-winged
raptors (genus Falco) are included and the answer is partially true. However, if the
answer is only partially true then the answer is "false." If "hawk" in this question
refers strictly to the members of the genus Accipiter, the true hawks, which have
short rounded wings, then the answer is clearly "false."
Question 8
True or false. In genus Falco, the third and/or fourth primary from the leading edge of
the wing is/are the longest.
Correct Answer
False. In genus Falco, the second primary from the leading edge of the wing is the
longest, thus giving the impression of "long, pointed" wings. In the buteos,
accipiters, and other hawk-like birds, it is the third and/or the fourth feather that is
the longest or they are of the same length. See charts on page 5 &11.
Question 9
Initial selection of a nesting area by migratory raptors, such as the prairie falcon,
accompanied later by aerial display, is generally made by the...
a. male, who returns first to the nesting area.
b. female, who remains year round.
c. neither hawk-it just happens.
d. none of the above.
Correct Answer
Answer: a. The male usually returns to the area first and chooses the nesting site.
Further, the male hunts and provides most of the food after the young have
hatched, while the female provides close-in protection, care, and feeding. Answer
"b" is incorrect. Generally, if one sex of a species migrates, both sexes migrate.
Page 4 of 158
