Editing Falconidae (section)

==Behaviour==

===Diet and feeding===
[[File:Laughing Falcon.jpg|thumb|The [[laughing falcon]] is a snake-eating specialist]]
Falcons and caracaras are carnivores, feeding on birds, small mammals including bats,<ref>Mikula, P., Morelli, F., Lučan, R. K., Jones, D. N., & Tryjanowski, P. (2016). Bats as prey of diurnal birds: a global perspective. Mammal Review.</ref> reptiles, insects and carrion. In popular imagination the falconids are fast flying predators, and while this is true of the genus ''Falco'' and some falconets, other species, particularly the caracaras, are more sedentary in their feeding. The [[forest falcon]]s of the [[Neotropics]] are generalist forest hunters. Several species, particularly the true falcons, will stash food supplies in caches.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.2307/1367531 | last1 = Collopy | first1 = M.W. | year = 1977 | title = Food Caching by Female American Kestrels in Winter | jstor = 1367531| journal = Condor | volume = 79 | issue = 1| pages = 63–68 }}</ref> They are solitary hunters and pairs guard territories, although they may form large flocks during [[bird migration|migration]]. Some species are specialists, such as the [[laughing falcon]], which specialises in [[snake]]s, and the [[red-throated caracara]], which mainly feeds on the [[larva]]e of [[bee]]s and [[wasp]]s; others are more generalist in their diet.

===Breeding===
[[File:Falco vespertinus.jpg|thumb|The [[red-footed falcon]] is unusual in being a colonial breeding falcon]]
The falcons and caracaras are generally solitary breeders, although around 10% of species are [[bird colony|colonial]], for example the [[red-footed falcon]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ille | first1 = R. | last2 = Hoi | first2 = H. | last3 = Grinschgl | first3 = F. | last4 = Zink | first4 = F. | year = 2002 | title = Paternity assurance in two species of colonially breeding falcon: the kestrel ''Falco tinnunculus'' and the red-footed falcon ''Falco vespertinus'' | journal = Etologica | volume = 10 | pages = 11–15 }}</ref> They are [[monogamy in animals|monogamous]], although some caracaras may also employ [[alloparenting]] strategies, where younger birds help adults (usually their parents) in raising the next brood of chicks. Nests are generally not built (except by the caracaras), but are co opted from other birds, for example [[pygmy falcon]]s nest in the nests of [[Ploceidae|weavers]], or on the ledges on cliffs. Around 2–4 eggs are laid, and mostly [[avian incubation|incubated]] by the female. Incubation times vary from species to species and are correlated with body size, lasting 28 days in smaller species and up to 35 days in larger species. Chicks [[fledge]] after 28–49 days, again varying with size.