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Falcons spiral in for the kill

Nature (2000)Cite this article

Sideways vision means there is more to the prey-plucking plummet of a peregrine falcon than meets the eye.

You are a peregrine falcon -- a hungry one. A plump, slow-flying robin flutters into view. You may think you know where your next meal is coming from, but your sideways-facing eyes present a problem. Dive straight at the robin and you could lose sight of your lunch. Turning your head to keep it in view will slow your plummet, perhaps enough to let the bird escape.

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References

  1. Tucker,V. Gliding flight: Drag and torque of a hawk and falcon with straight and turned heads, and a lower value for the parasite drag coefficient. Journal of Experimental Biology 203, 3733 - 3744 2000

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Authors
  1. David Adam
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Adam, D. Falcons spiral in for the kill. Nature (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/news001130-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/news001130-2

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