Peregrine Falcon Info

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a medium-sized raptor that is slightly smaller than an American Crow.  Adults have a slate blue-gray back and wings, and whitish underparts marked with black barring.  The upper breast is clear, and may have a salmon-colored wash to it; this coloration may also extend further down into the barred area.  Juveniles are brown above, with fairly bold vertical brown streaks on otherwise whitish underparts.  A distinct feature of Peregrine Falcons is the dark malar stripe (or mustache) below the eyes.

Three subspecies are recognized in North America.  The anatum subspecies has the broadest distribution, and is the species of Zeus and Amelia.  The tundrius race tends to be slightly larger and paler, especially on the face where the malar stripes are generally much narrower.  At the opposite extreme, the pealei subspecies is darker than the anatum, with an almost fully-helmeted dark head.

What's In a Name?

The scientific name, Falco peregrinus, comes from the Latin words falco, meaning hook-shaped and may refer to the bird's beak or claws, and peregrinus, meaning to wander.

Peregrines have also been called Duck Hawk, Great-footed Hawk and Wandering Falcon.

The male bird is called a tiercel and the female a falcon.

Measurements

The peregrine falcon has a body length of 15-20 inches, a 40-inch wingspan and weighs 1 to 2 pounds.

Habitat

The peregrine has one of the most far-reaching distributions of any bird of prey. The falcon is found on every continent except Antarctica, and lives in a wide variety of habitats from tropics, deserts and maritime to the tundra, and from sea level to 12,000 feet. Peregrines are highly migratory in the northern part of their range.

Diet

Peregrines hunt birds such as starlings, pigeons, blackbirds, jays, shorebirds and waterfowl, but will rarely take mammals, reptiles or insects. Peregrines use a variety of hunting techniques, but typically snag their prey in the air after a fast pursuit or dive.

Reproduction

Peregrine falcons frequently nest near water, on ledges of rocky cliffs or on tall buildings. Occasionally they will use the abandoned stick nests of other birds. They do not build nests, but scrape a small depression out of the soil. Peregrines lay 3-5 eggs that are incubated for approximately 34 days. The young falcons fledge five to six weeks after hatching.