Variation in syringeal morphology was studied to resolve the relationships of representatives of all of the recognized genera of falcons, falconets, pygmy falcons, and caracaras in the family Falconidae. The phylogeny derived from these data establishes three major clades within the family: (1) the Polyborinae, containing Daptrius, Polyborus, Milvago and Phalcoboenus, the four genera of caracaras; (2) the Falconinae, consisting of the genus Falco, Polihierax (pygmy falcons), Spiziapteryx and Microhierax (falconets) and Herpetotheres (Laughing Falcon); and (3) the genus Micrastur (forest falcons) comprising the third, basal clade. Two genera, Daptrius and Polihierax, are found to be polyphyletic. The phylogeny inferred from these syringeal data do not support the current division of the family into two subfamilies.