Genome research into two types of falcons has helped to explain how the birds became fierce predators.
A recent study has shown how falcons rapidly adapted to environmental pressures and how specific genes evolved to allow them to develop their high-speed, high-impact hunting techniques. The birds shared a common ancestor about 2.1 million years ago and were discovered to have a more simplified set of genes, featuring about 5000 fewer genes than humans.
The findings are rare as most birds are yet to be genome sequenced and will aid scientists in not only understanding the evolution and biology of the species but also in managing their conservation.
Read more at Cardiff University