Falconer Predator: Profile Of The Yautja Drone Operator

Falconer Predator is the "middle" Super Predator from Predators (2010) who hunted on the Game Preserve Planet. Falconer is known for his large bird-like mask, minimal weaponry, and a falcon-like drone that he used to track prey. Falconer combined traditional Yautja hunting skills with a tactical emphasis on reconnaissance, while mostly staying in the shadows.

The "Middle" Super Predator

Falconer is often regarded as the "middle" member of the Super Predator trio—positioned between Berserker (nicknamed Mr. Black), the group's leader, and Tracker, who specialized in pursuit with hunting beasts. He was the "middle" both in terms of height and the order of being killed. While Berserker operated through dominance and aggression, and Tracker through animal-assisted tactics, Falconer approached the hunt with greater detachment and precision. His role within the group appeared to focus on observation and evaluation, supporting the others with situational awareness gathered from his drone. Tracker was rarely seen in the movie and engaged in only one fight, indicating a more stealthy approach than his brothers.

Hunting The Crucified Predator

Falconer participated in the capture and restraint of a Classic Yautja, referred to as the Crucified Predator, a member of the more traditional Jungle Hunter clan. This act underscores a longstanding rivalry between the Super Predators and their predecessors, indicating internal conflict within Yautja society. The Crucified Predator was bound to a totem-like structure within the Super Predators' territory, serving both as a trophy and a symbol of clan superiority. Falconer's involvement in the imprisonment hints at a wider Civil War between Predator clans, possibly over hunting traditions and the code of honor.

Hunt On The Game Preserve Planet

The Game Preserve Planet served as a controlled environment where Falconer and his clan conducted ritualized hunts against abducted humans. Individuals brought to the planet were selected for their combat abilities and dropped into the terrain without explanation. Falconer’s responsibilities extended beyond direct combat, including monitoring prey movement and coordinating attacks. Falconer might have been wounded in the abdomen during a previous hunt - he had strange leather straps over his stomach area. Perhaps this was also one of the reasons why he chose to be in a more supporting role during the hunt, but had to step up when Tracker was killed.

Handling The Drone

Falconer’s defining feature was his mechanical bird-like drone, which operated as an aerial scout and tactical surveillance device. The drone could fly ahead to map terrain, locate prey, and assess threat levels from a distance. It transmitted data back to Falconer, allowing him to anticipate enemy movement and plan engagements more efficiently. The device reflects an evolution in Yautja hunting practices, blending primitive traditions with high-level reconnaissance capabilities unique to the Super Predator caste. The falcon drone was non-lethal and used only for tracking, the killing would be left for the Predators themselves. A similar drone was used by the Witch Predator.

Fight With Hanzo

Falconer’s most notable encounter occurred during a one-on-one duel with Hanzo, a Yakuza enforcer armed with a katana. The confrontation took place in an open field surrounded by tall grass, evoking a classic samurai duel setting. While Hanzo had already run out of bullets for his pistols, Falconer did not have any other weapons than the single wristblade available to him. Both combatants displayed significant skill, with Hanzo exploiting his swordsmanship and calm demeanor to counter Falconer’s superior strength. The fight resulted in both fighters sustaining fatal injuries, showing their almost equal skill.

Death Of Falconer Predator

Falconer's death came as a result of Hanzo’s well-timed sword strike, which fatally wounded him during their duel. Despite his physical advantages and advanced gear, Falconer was unable to overcome Hanzo’s precision and resolve. His death demonstrated that even elite Yautja could be defeated by human opponents under the right conditions. Predators usually take a lot of punishment before going down, but the Falconer's abdominal area might have been a weak spot. Although both died, Hanzo did collapse a few seconds later and could be declared the winner by some observers. With only the brute enforcer Berserker Predator left, the Super Predators lost the tactical advantage after this fight.

Falconer Predator Vision

Although Falconer wasn't the "Tracker" Predator, he employed an effective Tracker Vision in addition to the Predator thermal vision. Falconer used in the second in the second half of the movie s to follow the movements of the human group. The chemical pheromones appeared as glowing droplets, forming a visible trail that served as a guide. The mode was characterized by its orange hue and stood out as one of the more visually distinct vision types. Despite its apparent tactical advantage, this vision mode did not appear in other entries of Predator lore. Falconer also had a direct link to the Falconer drone, which had its own unique version of thermal vision.

Armor And Gear

Falconer’s armor was lighter and more streamlined compared to the more heavily armored Berserker and Tracker Predators. His gear favored mobility and speed, indicating a preference for stealth and surveillance over brute force. However, Falconer donned one of the largest helmets in Yautja lore, possibly hindering his head movement. His chest and abdomen were left exposed, which proved to be fatal in his final duel. In addition to the standard Yautja cloaking device and bio-mask, he utilized a wrist-mounted interface to control his drone remotely.

Weapons

Falconer was armed primarily with a single, extended wrist blade, longer than those seen on most Yautja. The weapon was used during his duel with Hanzo and appears to be designed for reach and precision in close-quarters combat. Unlike many other Predators, Falconer did not use a shoulder-mounted plasma caster, possibly to reduce weight or enhance stealth. His reliance on melee combat and drone support reflects a more specialized role among the Super Predators. Falconer is one of the lesser-armed Predators in the lore, seemingly relying heavily on both his 2 brothers and the single blade.

Falconer Predator Unmasked

Unlike Berserker Predator, the Falconer Predator never takes off his bio-mask, and his face is not revealed in the movie. However, the face is seen in great detail in the Predator: Hunting Grounds video game, released in 2020. Although his skin tone can be customized (like every other Predator detail), the default skin of Falconer Predator is yellowish (not red). Other details of the face are similar to the Berserker Predator, with a large mouth, long mandibles, and a high forehead. In the game, the bio-helmet can be shot off by human players, revealing the Super Predator's face.

Behind The Scenes

Falconer Predator was portrayed by actor and stunt performer Carey Jones, who also played Tracker in the same film. The character’s drone was created using a combination of physical models and CGI, drawing inspiration from real-world falconry. The duel between Falconer and Hanzo was designed as a deliberate homage to classic samurai films, with attention to composition, pacing, and choreography. Although Hanso died dueling the Falconer Predator, his story did receive a sequel in the Aliens vs. Predators: Ultimate Prey anthology novel. In this short story, Hanzo's brother Eiji ended up in the spot where Falconer and Hanso died and discovered a shrine with the Samurai sword attached to it.

Conclusion

Falconer Predator was one of the three Super Predators featured in Predators (2010), defined by his use of reconnaissance tactics and his signature falcon-like drone. He remained masked throughout the film and engaged in only one combat sequence, resulting in a mutual kill with Hanzo. His equipment was minimal, lacking ranged weaponry, and his armor design favored mobility over protection. Falconer’s role appeared to focus on observation and support, contrasting with the more aggressive tactics of his fellow Super Predators.

Tag Categories: Individual Predators, Predators From The Movies