Falconinae

Falconinae is a group of small birds that belong to the falcon family. This group has 44 different kinds of birds grouped into five main types. Some well-known types are the tiny falconets (Microhierax), the very small pygmy falcons (Polihierax), and the true falcons (Falco). Scientists have studied these birds with special tools and learned that these groups are closely related, even though some need more study.

These birds have an interesting history. Their closest relatives in the falcon family, called Polyborinae, separated from their ancestors about 30.2 million years ago, during a time called the Oligocene Epoch. Then, around 20 million years ago, in the Miocene Epoch, the Falconinae group split off from the Polyborinae. This long history helps scientists understand how these birds changed and adapted over millions of years.