Peregrine falcon
The peregrine falcon is a remarkable bird of prey known for its extraordinary speed and keen eyesight. This species can reach speeds over 200 miles per hour during its hunting stoop, making it the fastest animal in the world. Capable of spotting prey from 1,000 feet above ground, peregrine falcons are highly skilled hunters that primarily target birds like pigeons and ducks, but may also catch small mammals. They thrive in diverse habitats, from urban environments to mountainous and coastal areas, showcasing their adaptability.
Peregrine falcons are typically 1.5 feet long with a wingspan of up to 3.5 feet, featuring distinctive plumage of black and brown on the back and white underneath. Known for their strong pair bonds, they mate for life and build their nests, called aeries, on high cliffs or similar locations to avoid threats. While they face challenges from hunting, habitat loss, and chemical pollutants like DDT, conservation efforts have helped their populations rebound in recent years. In the wild, these fascinating birds can live for about twenty years.
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Peregrine falcon
The peregrine falcon is one of the more notable members of the falcon family. It has very good eyesight and can fly at extraordinary speeds. The peregrine falcon is able to spot small birds from 1,000 feet (300 meters) above ground and then stoop, or dive, at speeds of over 200 miles (320 kilometers) per hour to catch its prey in the air. It can thrive in large metropolitan environments.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
Species: Peregrinus
The peregrine falcon exists in diverse environments throughout the world. These can range from cold arctic regions, to warm tropical areas. Historically, peregrine falcons have been popular with humans as they can be trained to hunt and can breed in captivity. Because of this, they were introduced to many regions of the world.
In open country, such as prairies and semidesert regions, springtime is a good opportunity to view peregrine falcons in many parts of the world. It commonly lives in mountainous and rocky regions where there are cliffs, crags, and quarries where it is good to nest. It may also live around bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and even out at sea at times. Peregrine falcons are at home in many urban,areas and hunt for birds such as pigeons.
A peregrine falcon may be up to 1 1/2 feet (forty-five centimeters) long and have a wingspan of three to 3 1/2 feet (90 to 105 centimeters) long. It weighs between one and three pounds (450 to 1,350 grams). The plumage, or feathering, on the peregrine's back is black and brown, while its underfeatgers are white with fine black and brown markings. Its beak is hooked downward.
The name peregrine comes from the Latin word "peregrinus," which means "foreign" or "wanderer." It is one of the species in the group of raptors, or birds of prey. When it is stationary, the peregrine falcon will keep its wings tucked in its back. This gives the appearance of being a much smaller bird, like a pigeon. This often allows the peregrine falcon to catch its prey by surprise.
The peregrine falcon has incredible eyesight. With its large, black, yellow-ringed eyes the falcon is able to see prey 1,000 feet (300 meters) beneath it. Deciding on a target, it folds its narrow, pointed wings against its streamlined body and begins its fast, screaming dive. The peregrine falcon is the world's fastest animal. The falcon may reach speeds up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour. Some have reportedly reached speeds of 250 miles (400 kilometers) per hour. To protect its eyes at this speed, the peregrine falcon has a thrid eyelid. With its hurtling speed and long, sharp, curved talons, the falcon strikes the prey and usually kills it instantly. Birds like pigeons, grouse, larks, gulls, and other birds are common items in the falcon's diet. Eating ducks has given the peregrine falcon the name duckhawk in some places. During World War II, peregrine falcons were shot so that they would not kill the carrier pigeons which were carrying messages for the armed forces. Not only does the peregrine seize birds from the air or ground, but it may also strike rabbits and bats. The peregrine falcon's roosting and hunting territory may cover twenty-five to 125 square miles (sixty-five to 325 square kilometers).
The peregrine falcon faces little danger from predators. Hunters and egg collectors have seriously threatened the bird's survival. Another great threat in recent years has been the effects of chemicals such as DDT. DDT is a pesticide for killing insects and other unwanted animals. The falcon eats these poisoned animals and also becomes poisoned. This may either kill the bird or cause it to lay eggs with shells which are too thin and which break before the young hatch. Government protection and the prohibition of DDT have caused the falcon's numbers to rise again.
Male and female peregrine pairs mate for life. They make their aerie, or home, in a high place, away from predators and people. Some peregrines return from migrations to the same aerie year after year, while others live in the same places year round. Aeries often do not have nests, but the birds use vegetation as a bed on which to lay their eggs. In the spring, the female lays a batch of three to four white eggs with reddish-brown blotches. She incubates the eggs for about one month. Once the young are independent, they do not live in colonies or family groups, rather they live alone until they find a mate and breed. In the wild, peregrine falcons may live around twenty years.
Similar species:
- Shaheen falcon(Falco peregrinus peregrinator)
- Peale’s falcon(Falco peregrinus pealei)
- Taita falcon(Falco peregrinus faschiinucha)
- Prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus)
Bibliography
Dewey, Tanya and Mark Potter. “Falco Peregrinus Peregrine Falcon.” Animal Diversity Web, 2002, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Falco‗peregrinus. Accessed 14 Apr. 2024.
Gaeng, Jennifer. “10 Incredible Peregrine Falcon Facts.” A-Z Animals, 14 Aug. 2023, a-z-animals.com/blog/10-incredible-peregrine-falcon-facts. Accessed 14 Apr. 2024.
“Peregrine Falcon.” Animalia, 2024, animalia.bio/peregrine-falcon. Accessed 14 Apr. 2024.