What Is a Group of Falcons Called?

A group of falcons is most precisely called a cast — historically a pair of trained falcons released together during a falconry hunt, one term you’ll still hear used loosely today for any small group. Soar and tower describe falcons circling or gaining altitude on rising air currents, a behavior more likely to be observed in the wild than a formal “cast.”

Where Does “Cast” Come From?

“Cast” comes directly from medieval falconry, the same aristocratic hunting tradition that produced most of English’s ornate collective nouns, recorded in works like the 15th-century Book of Saint Albans. Falconers released, or “cast off,” their birds in pairs to hunt cooperatively, and the term for that pair — a cast — eventually broadened into a general collective noun for falcons.

Do Falcons Actually Gather in Groups?

Not really, at least not the way flocking birds do. Falcons are largely solitary hunters, coming together mainly to breed, during migration, or when several individuals are independently drawn to the same abundant food source, like a swarm of insects or a mass of migrating songbirds. True cooperative group behavior is rare, which is part of why falcon-specific collective nouns lean on falconry terminology (describing trained, human-managed pairs) rather than genuine wild social structures.

Falcon Facts

• Falcons belong to the family Falconidae and are found on every continent except Antarctica.
• The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, reaching speeds over 200 mph during its hunting dive, known as a stoop.
• Unlike hawks and eagles, falcons kill primarily with their beak — a notched “tomial tooth” designed to sever a prey animal’s spine — rather than relying solely on their talons.
• Baby falcons are called eyases and are typically raised in cliffside or tree nests called eyries.
• Falconry, the practice of hunting with trained falcons, dates back thousands of years and is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage practice.

Examples in a Sentence

“A cast of falcons was released from the falconer’s glove at the start of the demonstration.”

“Birders spotted a soar of falcons riding the thermals above the cliffs.”

Other Names for a Group of Falcons

Cast is the most specific and historically grounded term, tied directly to falconry practice. Soar and tower describe falcons in flight, circling on rising air. Because falcons are largely solitary in the wild, none of these terms describe a permanent, cohesive social group the way “pack” or “pride” do for more social animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a group of falcons called?

A group of falcons is most precisely called a cast, a term from falconry originally describing two falcons flown together. Soar and tower are also used for falcons circling in flight.

Why is a group of falcons called a cast?

Cast comes from falconry, where trained falcons were released, or “cast off,” in pairs during a hunt.

Do falcons live in groups in the wild?

Not typically. Falcons are largely solitary hunters that come together mainly to breed, migrate, or feed at a shared food source.

How fast can falcons fly?

The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, reaching speeds over 200 mph during its hunting dive, called a stoop.

What is a baby falcon called?

A baby falcon is called an eyas.