Editing Falconry (section)

===Falcons (''Falco'')===
The genus ''[[Falcon|Falco]]'' is found worldwide and has occupied a central niche in ancient and modern falconry. Most falcon species used in falconry are specialized predators, most adapted to capturing bird prey, such as the peregrine falcon and [[Merlin (bird)|merlin]]. A notable exception is the use of desert falcons such the saker falcon in ancient and modern falconry in Asia and Western Asia, where [[hare]]s were and are commonly taken. In North America, the [[prairie falcon]] and the [[gyrfalcon]] can capture small mammal prey such as rabbits and hares (as well as the standard gamebirds and waterfowl) in falconry, but this is rarely practiced. Young falconry apprentices in the United States often begin practicing the art with [[American kestrel]]s, the smallest of the falcons in North America; debate remains on this, as they are small, fragile birds, and can die easily if neglected.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.americanfalconry.com/appKestrels.html |title= Should Apprentice Falconers be Allowed to Fly American Kestrels? |publisher= American falconry |date= 1992-04-14 |access-date= 2013-03-19 |archive-date= 2012-03-27 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120327173558/http://www.americanfalconry.com/appKestrels.html |url-status= live }}</ref> Small species, such as kestrels, [[Merlin (bird)|merlins]] and [[Hobby (bird)|hobbys]], are most often flown on small birds such as starlings or sparrows, but can also be used for recreational bug hawking – that is, hunting large flying insects such as dragonflies, grasshoppers, and moths.