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Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Family: Falconidae (Falcons)
Description: The Peregrine Falcon is one of the swiftest birds of prey. Its name is from the Latin word "peregrinus" which means "foreigner" or "traveler." As with many raptors, or birds of prey, the female is larger than the male. Adults have slate blue-gray wings and backs barred with black that form the appearance of a dark hood; pale undersides; white faces with a black stripe on each cheek; and large, dark eyes. Younger birds have darker undersides and are browner.

They fly high above their intended prey, which they dive bomb at estimated speeds of up to 200 miles per hour to kill in mid-air.

Nesting: They might nest in a cliff ledge depression, tree cavity, in gravel or a stick nest. This includes skyscraper and bridge ledges. The Peregrine population declined by 80 - 90 percent by mid 1970s. During this decade they were listed as endangered. Scientists found evidence of the pesticide (pest and insect-killing chemical) DDT and DDE which comes from DDT were building up or accumulating on their foods. This toxin prevented proper eggshell formation so groups of eggs or broods never even hatched - they never survived incubation. Part of their recovery effort included captive breeding and release of more than 6,000 Peregrine Falcons between 1974 and 1999. These breeding program was successful and by 1999 they were removed from the endangered species list.

Peregrine Falcons usually reach breeding maturity at 2 years old. The male displays aerial acrobatics to attract its mate. On average, a clutch contains four eggs. They are laid in the spring and take a month to hatch.
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Size: 15 - 21 inches,
with a wingspan of about 40 inches

Diet: They target mostly other birds such as songbirds, shorebirds, ducks, starlings and pigeons.

Habitat: Cliffs or rocky nesting areas, mountain ranges, including building ledges in cities, water (river valleys and coastlines) and prey.

Call: "kyah, kyah, kyah"

Range: (May - October) Uncommon but found worldwide, they nest mostly from northern Alaska across north-central Canada, and in Greenland migrating in the fall to central Mexico and to Central and South America. Historically, they were most common in parts of the Appalachian Mountains and nearby valleys from southern New England to Georgia.
© 2003 by Trust for Wildlife. Developed with Knowledge Environments, Inc.