Falcons are More Closely Related to Parrots Than Eagles

Alfred Hitchcock was well aware that many people are afraid of birds. When scientists claim that dinosaurs evolved into birds and that every chicken is therefore a delectable Tyrannosaurus Rex, it doesn't really help.

Some birds are undoubtedly more threatening than others in the world of birds. Because of their claws and beaks, which can rip through flesh, birds of prey are inherently threatening.

The speed and ferocity of hawks, eagles, and falcons all seem to be on their side. The peculiarity in this situation is that falcons are distinct from the other two animals. Although it is simple to mistake a falcon for a hawk, this is only another instance of convergent evolution in action.

Contrary to popular assumption, falcons are actually far more closely related to parrots than to eagles. It seems odd that the fastest animal in the world, the peregrine falcon, is more closely related to a parakeet than an eagle. Despite this, DNA analysis shows that the two birds have a far closer genetic relationship than other raptors do.