They represent members of their genus which are similar to species like the peregrine falcon in outward appearance, but usually with more phaeomelanins which impart reddish or brown colors, and generally more strongly patterned plumage reminiscent of hawks.

Recent DNA sequence data studies have confirmed that the hierofalcons are a monophyletic group—and, incidentally, that hybridization runs rampant in the present species complex.

Initial results of mtDNA cytochrome b sequence analyses that suggested they are basal among all living falcons were in error, due to a numt (Wink & Sauer-Gürth 2000).

The hierofalcon lineage as such seems of Late Pliocene origin, maybe as old as the "typical" kestrels (Gelasian, some 2.5–2 million years ago[1]), maybe somewhat older, though little is known about their fossil history.

The lanner falcon appears to be the most phylogenetically ancient species (mainly judging from biogeography); the others diverged—apparently out of a population isolated in northeastern Africa some time during the Riss glaciation 200,000 to 130,000 years ago—in a brief and rapid bout of evolution.