PEREGRINE FALCON
Falco peregrinus
Notable Physical Characteristics - Size - Habitat - Nesting - Hunting
Behavior - Call - Additional Information - Resources
Notable Physical Characteristics
Uniformly dark gray-brown back
Bluish-gray under parts
Iris is dark brown at all ages
Bill is a blue-gray
Facial stripe extending down from eye-“malar stripe”
Pointed wings
Uniformly patterned under wing
(Under wing plumage of females is more heavily patterned)
Large, stocky
Length: 16”
Wingspan: 41”
Weight: 1.6 lb.
(Females are 15-20% larger and 40-50% heavier than males)
Range is scattered throughout the world; do not breed in the Amazon Basin, the Sahara Desert, most of central and eastern Asia, and Antarctica
Greatest population densities in tundra and coastal biomes
Nest in conspicuous open gulfs of air, usually near water
Frequently nest on cliffs, skyscrapers, and bridges
Incubation period: 33-35 days
Incubated by both male and female
Most prey captured in air or from surface of water or ground
Will search for small rodents and nestling birds on foot
Kill prey by biting in to their neck, unlike accipiters that kill prey with their talons
Aggressively territorial; use power flights and dives for display
Wingbeats smooth and powerful
Known to frequently strike and have physical grappling with Great Horned Owls
During pursuit, wing speeds reach 112 km/h
Slow, harsh- rehk rehk rehk
The name peregrine means “wanderer”
One of North America’s long-distance migrants, moves up to 25, 000 km annually
Highest scientific and public profile of raptorial species
Life Span: 16 to 20 years
Principle predators include the Great Horned Owl, Eagle, and Gyrfalcons.
· The Sibley Guide to Birds
· The Birds of North America, No. 660
· Photo courtesy of Jim Malone