Common name: PEREGRINE FALCON
Scientific name: Falco peregrinus
Identifying characteristics:
A large falcon in which the sexes look alike. The female (the falcon) is about 1/3 larger than the male (the tiercel). Adults have a dark slate-blue back and wings and a dark blue tail that is lightly barred. The top of the head is dark with a dark stripe running down the side of the face. The cere, legs, and feet are bright yellow. The underside of the adult is light with vertical streaks across the breast, belly and legs. Immatures are uniformly brown on the back, top of the head, and wings, with a light underside streaked with brown. Peregrine falcons are widely distributed resulting in many populations and sub-species each with a slight variation of the above plumage.
Range:
Distributed worldwide. Peregrine Falcons are found on every continent except Antaractica. They can be found breeding in the arctic tundra, through Europe, and North America, and south into Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands and Australia. In Texas, we have breeding pairs in Big Bend.
Habitat:
Peregrine Falcons are birds of open spaces usually associated with high cliffs and bluffs overlooking rivers and coasts. Recently many cities with tall buildings have become home to pairs of Peregrines. Many populations are migratory (their name means "wandering falcon") and will travel great distances.
Nesting:
Their nest is a scrape made on the bare rock of a cliff, where 2-4 eggs are laid. Recently many cities in North America have had Peregrines nesting on the ledges of tall buildings or under bridges.
Feeding habits:
The most spectacular of hunters, Peregrines feed almost exclusively on birds they take in the air. High speed dives of up to 200 miles per hour enable Peregrines to catch everything from songbirds to herons and ducks.
Conservation status:
Recently downlisted from endangered status. Peregrines are currently bred in captivity for release into the wild, and for falconry.
