Why <i>falkun</i>, not <i>bies</i>?

the Peregrine falcon donated to Emperor Charles V by the Knights of St John since 1530 on November 1, feast of All Saints, for the feudal occupation of the Maltese Islands by the Order, was the popular species still used today for falconry.

But the Peregrine falcon is not falkun in Maltese, as it is referred to by many, including the three main TV stations, who never bothered to ask those who are knowledgeable about birds, such as Bird Life and the Hunters' Association, what the Maltese name for Peregrine falcon is.

Falcon is not falkun but bies or Bies Pellegrin, as it is also known. There is a great difference between the species of the falcon and that of the kite, though they both belong to the same family. Falkun could be either the Red Kite (Falkun ahmar) or the Black Kite (Falkun iswed); both regularly winter in Malta.

The word falkun is very similar to the English falcon and this is probably why such a confusion exists. Also, since the word falconry is falkunerija in Maltese, this could add to the confusion.

Allow me to give some ornithological information regarding the matter.

Red Kite is Falkun ahmar (Milvus milvus). The plumage is more rufous and head paler than that of the Black Kite. It soars often with angled wings but the peregrine cannot soar as high, as this species has different wings. The kite's flight is buoyant and harrier-like while the peregrine's is not because its sickle-shaped wings are designed by nature for high speed, it can reach about 80 mph, when it dives for a short distance. This bird is 60 cm long from beak to tip of tail.

Black Kite is Falkun iswed (Milvus migrans). Sometimes from a distance it could be confused with the Marsh Harrier; it also glides with wings level but the peregrine never glides in the same way. This kite is often gregarious and habitually hunts over water. It is found in all types of country except dense woodland. It is 55 cm long.

Peregrine Falcon is Bies (Falco peregrinus). Easily identified in flight thanks to its distinctive, anchor-like long wings, it rarely soars due to the great difference in the shape of the kite's wings. It hunts from ambush, unlike the kite. This is 38 cm long, much smaller than the kite; the female is larger.