The Falcons and Caracaras are diurnal birds of prey - day flying raptors with hooked bills and hooked claws. They are told from hawks by their streamlined bodies, long pointed wings that are bent back at the wrists, and their longish tails. They are strong, powerful fliers. They eat birds, mammals, and insects.
Falcons and caracaras have strongly hooked bills, sharply curved talons and excellent eyesight. The plumage is usually composed of browns, whites, chestnut, black and grey, often with barring of patterning.
They differ from other Falconiformes in killing with their beaks instead of their feet. They have a "tooth" on the side of their beak for the purpose.