Falcons

• Type: Creature (Bird of Prey)
• Owners: The Falmouth Falcons Quidditch team uses the falcon as its emblem and namesake. In some non-canon material, Draco Malfoy owns a falcon.
• Maker: N/A (Natural Creature)

Falcons are non-magical birds of prey known for their incredible speed and hunting ability. In the Wizarding World, they are physically identical to their Muggle counterparts. No magical variants have been documented. The most prominent depiction of a falcon is on the emblem of the Falmouth Falcons Quidditch team, which features a falcon-head crest on their dark-grey and white robes.

Falcons are not known to possess any inherent magical properties. They are primarily used by wizards in a symbolic capacity. Their association with speed, aggression, and nobility makes them a fitting mascot for a professional Quidditch team like the Falmouth Falcons. While Owls are the predominant couriers in the Wizarding World, other birds can be used to carry messages. It is plausible that trained falcons could serve this purpose, a role they are shown to fill in certain video games.

The most significant historical context for falcons in the wizarding community is their connection to the Falmouth Falcons Quidditch team. The team was founded in 1677 and is known for a history of hard-hitting and aggressive play, a reputation that aligns with the predatory nature of their namesake. Their team motto, “Let us win, but if we cannot win, let us break a few heads,” further solidifies this image.

The primary mention of falcons occurs in the lead-up to the 1994 Quidditch World Cup. While discussing Quidditch with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley lists the Falmouth Falcons as a well-known team and recites their aggressive motto. This mention serves as world-building, enriching the culture surrounding the sport of Quidditch and giving readers a sense of the broader wizarding society beyond the immediate events at Hogwarts. Falcons themselves do not play a direct role in the main plot of the series.

• In the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets video game, Draco Malfoy uses a pet falcon to send and receive messages. This is a deviation from the novels, where his primary pet and post-carrier is a large Eagle Owl. (video game)
• The choice of a falcon for the Falmouth team likely draws on the real-world medieval and noble sport of falconry, reflecting the long-standing history and competitive nature of Quidditch.