Why are falcons generally reluctant to take waterfowl over large bodies of water?

Falcons are known for their impressive speed and agility when hunting, but when it comes to taking waterfowl over large bodies of water, they face specific challenges. The correct answer highlights that falcons find it harder to catch flying ducks. This is primarily due to the ducks' ability to maneuver quickly and effectively in the air as they are well adapted to their environment. Ducks can also exploit the relative safety of water, where they can land or take off with ease, making them more difficult targets for falcons that typically rely on high-speed dives or stoops to catch prey.

While other factors might influence hunting behavior, such as preference for land-based prey or potential distractions from flocks, the primary limiting factor in this scenario is the difficulty associated with capturing agile waterfowl in flight over expansive aquatic terrain.