Falcons – Falconiformes

The order of Falconiformes includes the family of falcons and caracaras (Falconidae). Species of the subfamily of falcons, pigmy falcons and falconets (Falconinae) are found in the wild on all continents except Antarctica. In Central and Southern Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Asia and North America, tall falcons are widely used for hunting. Closest to Finland, species of Falconinae are bred in captivity for falconry e.g. in Great Britain, Russia and Central Europe (Germany, Austria, France). In Denmark, falconry was legalized from September 2018. Falconry is included in the list of Unesco's immaterial cultural heritage in 18 countries.

Also in Finland, there have been sightings of Falconines with straps on their legs, suggesting that they may have originally been used in falconry. For example, confirmed sightings of the saker falcon (Falco cherrug) has been reported eight times. According to the BirdLife Rarities Committee, half of the observations (1998 Oulu, 2007 Kuopio, 2011 Vaasa and 2014 Uusikaupunki) have been confirmed to represent birds of farmed origin.