History Main / NobleBirdOfPrey

* ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer'': There's a ''reason'' why the Global Defense Initiative uses a swooping hawk as their emblem: power, authority, majesty.

** While not as prestigious as the others, the BAE Systems Hawk is a jet trainer whose most famous role is being the aircraft of choice for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, aka. the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Arrows Red Arrows]].

** While not as prestigious as the others, the BAE Systems Hawk is a jet trainer whose most famous role is being the aircraft of choice for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, aka. the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Arrows Red Arrows].

* ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' Gave the PlayerCharacter a trained pet eagle in ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOrigins'' and ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOdyssey''. The franchise as whole, employs this theme as the assassins themselves are often compared to birds of prey and use eagles, falcons, and hawks in their themes as they try to use their skills for the noble purpose of keeping the world free from the dominion of the Templars.

* In ''Franchise/TolkiensLegendarium'', a flock of giant eagles are the messengers of Manwë. Being possibly Maiar would make them immortal, and at least one of them (Gwaihir) was listed as being alive in both the First and Third Ages, thousands of years apart. In their appearance in ''Literature/TheHobbit'', they apparently take great pleasure in messing with Goblins' and Worgs' evil plans and later join the Dwarves, Men, and Elves in fighting them at the Battle of the Five Armies. At the end, the Lord of the Eagles (who may or may not be Gwaihir) was described as becoming the King of All Birds and being given a share of Smaug's treasure, including a crown.

* In Native American mythology, the {{Thunderbird}} is typically conceived of as a noble, heroic or protective entity, often defending humanity from supernatural threats.

** Braviary, an eagle Pokémon with feathers in the color of the American flag, takes to this trope more than any other Pokémon. It's referred to as "the hero of the sky", fights for its friends without any thought of its own safety, and the more scars it has, the more respect it gets from its peers.

* Myth/EgyptianMythology used falcons to represent several prominent gods, such as Ra, Horus, and Montu. Ra defended the world from the montrous Apep by doing battle with him on a solar barque every day and night, and Horus was a heroic protector who avenged his father's murder by defeating his EvilUncle Set in their fight for the throne. Montu didn't do much in the myths, but was important as a symbol of the pharaoh's warrior and conqueror image.

* The ''Literature/{{Ramayana}}'' has two ''vultures'' that otherwise fit this role.
* Myth/GreekMythology: The eagle is sacred to Zeus. Although the best-known example wasn't exactly noble, being sent to devour the captive Prometheus' liver everyday until Heracles put a stop to it.
* In Native American mythology, the {{Thunderbird}} is typically conceived of as a noble, heroic or protective entity, often defending humanity from supernatural threats.

* In the National Theater musical ''Theatre/TheLightPrincess'', Prince Digby's falcon Zephyrus is among the more important characters in the show, and is often praised for his beauty

%%* The redesigned Rito from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' seem to be this.

** While most translations of the series render it as "hawk", the Japanese word ''taka'' also includes falcons. In a combination of LostInTranslation and LuckyTranslation, ''taka'' is increasingly replaced by [[GratuitousEnglish the English word "falcon"]] as Griffith shows more of his true self, including his cruelty and desire to reach greater heights (both traits associated with falcons over hawks). By contrast [[TheHero Guts]], one of the last survivors of the Band of the Hawk, is a tough, scrappy fighter whose [[SupernaturallyDeliciousAndNutritious Brand of Sacrifice]] forces him to become increasingly vigilant against danger (both traits associated with hawks over falcons).

* In Franchise/TolkiensLegendarium, a flock of giant eagles are the messengers of Manwë. Being possibly Maiar would make them immortal, and at least one of them (Gwaihir) was listed as being alive in both the First and Third Ages, thousands of years apart. In their appearance in ''Literature/TheHobbit'', they apparently take great pleasure in messing with Goblins' and Worgs' evil plans and later join the Dwarves, Men, and Elves in fighting them at the Battle of the Five Armies. At the end, the Lord of the Eagles (who may or may not be Gwaihir) was described as becoming the King of All Birds and being given a share of Smaug's treasure, including a crown.

** Falconry was once the favorite sport of European nobility. In medieval England, there was a hierarchy of "socially appropriate" birds one could use depending on their station, as described in manuscripts such as ''Booke of Hawkyng after Prince Edwarde Kyng of Englande''. Birds such as eagles, peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons were considered appropriate for kings and emperors only, while kestrels were considered appropriate for common servants -- thereby combining this trope with AuthorityGrantsAsskicking.

* In ''Series/TheTenthKingdom'', the [[ImplacableMan Huntsman tracking the main characters]] sports a magical crossbow with a falcon's head that issues corresponding calls when "ready to go" and shoots ''homing''' arrows.

** Falconry was once the favorite sport of European nobility. In medieval England, there was a hierarchy of "socially appropriate" birds one could use depending on their station, as described in manuscripts such as ''Booke of Hawkyng after Prince Edwarde Kyng of Englande''. Birds such as eagles, peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons were considered appropriate for kings and emperors only, while kestrels were considered appropriate for common servants -- thereby combining this trope with AsskickingEqualsAuthority.