Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Taxonomy:
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Subfamily: Falconinae
Genus: Falco

Length: 14-15 in. (male); 16-18 in. (female)
Weight: 1-1.5 lbs. (male); 1.6-2.1 lbs. (female)
Wingspan: 37-39 in. (male); 40-46 in. (female)

Common Names: duck hawk

Etymology: falco (Latin) - refers to sickle-shaped talons or the shape of the wings in flight; peregrinus (Latin) - "wandering"

Description: The sexes are alike in plumage but females are noticeably larger (tiercel - male is 1/3 smaller than female). The thick dark mustache mark is the key identification characteristic. Iris is dark brown. Nares circular with a central bony tubercle. There are three races in North America:

1. The northern tundra peregrine (F. p. tundrius) is highly migratory and is the smallest and lightest in color. This is the peregrine spotted most frequently along the Atlantic coast during migration.
2. The continental peregrine (F.p. anatum) is larger and darker. It formerly was a widespread but local breeder throughout continental North America but use of DDT and other persistent pesticides wiped out the eastern populations.
3. The Peale's peregrine (F.p. pealei) is a sedentary and stable population along the northwest coast (Canada). Peale's are the largest and darkest race of North American peregrines.

Flight: Peregrines are spectacular fliers, performing vertical dives (stoops) from great heights, striking their prey at great speeds in mid-air. Active flight with shallow but stiff and powerful wing beats. Flap looks shallow, seems to roll down wing in undulating pulses. Soars on flat wings with widely spread tail (appears diamond-shaped). Wing tips appear broad and rounded when soaring (on thermals) and narrow and pointed when gliding (trying to get somewhere).

Voice: Loud! A rapid kek kek kek kek kek; at eyrie, a repeated we'chew.

Habitat: Most commonly found near tall cliffs, which are used both as nesting and perching sites. Peregrines also like to be near a source of water, but otherwise are comfortable in many different climates/temperatures. They have very large home ranges, and are incredibly nest-protective, with reports of birds attacking intruders as far as a mile from the nest.

Distribution: The peregrine is cosmopolitan in distribution, occurring worldwide, mostly in arctic to temperate areas. In 1989 seven nesting pairs were reintroduced into Carolinas (Grandfather Mountain, Mt. Mitchell, White Rock Cliff, Chimney Rock, Lynville Gorge), but their success in nesting was not good.

Nesting: Usually two years old when begin brooding. Does not make a nest, usually only a small scraping. Nests primarily on cliffs, but will use an old nest in trees, building ledges and bridges. Lays 3-4 eggs, incubation mostly by female though male helps; incubation lasts 33-35 days. Age at first flight - 39-46 days (male), 41-49 days (female). Young are brown and have buffy breast with streaking. Northern populations will migrate, following their food source. Return to same nest locations.

Food: Peregrines fly with extreme power and speed, and are probably only limited by prey distribution. Peregrines hunt in open areas such as shores, marshes, valleys where prey has little chance to hide. They typically hunt birds with a success rate of 20-30%. They hunt several hundred species of birds, including shorebirds and pigeons; females tend to take larger prey than males. Peregrines use a high-speed stoop, striking birds in mid-air. When striking a bird, they will hit either with talons balled or open. They may also grab larger birds (like goose or pheasant) and ride them to the ground. Peregrines will also chase land birds offshore to tire them out.