A falcon (/ˈfɒlkən, ˈfɔːl-, ˈfæl-/) is a member of the genus Falco, which includes about 40 species. Falcons are widely distributed on all continents of the world except Antarctica. Adult falcons have thin, tapered wings, which enable them to fly at high speed and to change direction rapidly. Fledgling falcons, in their first year of flying, have longer flight feathers, which make their configuration more like that of a general-purpose bird such as a broadwing. This makes it easier to fly while learning the exceptional skills required to be effective hunters as adults.