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The peregrine falcon is one of the largest species of falcon. It is an extremely strong flyer and can catch its pretty with deadly accuracy, diving through the air with amazing speed. The peregrine falcon is a majestic animal, and a top predator among birds of prey. But it is now endangered because of persecution y hunters and egg collectors. It is also suffering from the deadly effects of pesticides, which diminish its breeding success.
Habitat: The peregrine falcon generally inhabits open country such as prairie and semi desert, where prey is easy to spot. In the United States, that falcon is most common is mountainous areas where there are rocky crags on which to breed. Cliffs and quarries also provide suitable nesting sites. In winter, peregrine falcons may also frequent lakes and rivers. It can also be found far out to sea, on its route to or from its feeding area. The scientific name of the peregrine falcon, peregrines, is Latin for "foreign" or "wanderer."./
Breeding: Peregrine falcons mate e for life and usually breed on high, inaccessible cliffs and rocky crags. Parried birds often return to the same eerie (nest) each year. The falcons do not build nests, but rather use existing vegetation in which to lay the eggs. Egg laying begins in the spring, and three to four eggs is the usually number in a clutch. Incubation begins after the last egg is laid, and it is the female who spends the most time raising the chicks.
Food & Hunting: The peregrine falcons main prey consists of other birds, ranging in size from the small skylark to larger birds like the pigeon and grouse. However, the peregrine falcon has been known to feed on rabbits or even bats. In winter, when the falcons hunt on gulls, waders, and ducks. The peregrine most often swoops down and grabs its prey while in flights. It sometimes catches birds on the ground or in low-lying vegetation. On the average, a peregrine falcon needs 3 1/2 ounces of food a day. When there are young ao feed, it requites more. During the breeding season, it may need to travel widely to find enough food. Its territory can range from 25 -125 square miles.
Bird watch: The best time to spot peregrine falcons is in spring, when the birds can be seen breeding on rocky ledges and cliffs or soaring in circles overhead. They are recognizable by their bullet shaped bodies and broad, pointed wings. In the fall, peregrine falcons can be spotted on Padre Island, Texas and Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania. In spring, they can be seen in the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey.
Peregrine Falcon and Man: The peregrine falcon is particularly sensitive to chemical pollutants because it is higher on the food chain and, consequently, ingests more of the toxins found in its prey. The pesticide DDT, in particular, has caused a great reduction in its numbers by effecting the falcons breeding success. Birds would break their own eggs in the nest because of thin shells caused by the excess of poison in their tissues. The use of DDT is now prohibited and, although egg collectors still persecute the peregrine, its numbers are beginning to increase.
Key Facts: Sizes, Weight, breeding, lifestyle, related Species
Length: 15 - 18 in
Wing span: 37 - 43 in
Weight: Males, 20 - 26 oz,. Females, 30
- 45 oz
Breeding:
Breeding Season: March to May
Sexual Maturity: 3 years
No. of broods: 1
Eggs: 3 - 4 in clutch; white with reddish
brown blotches.
Incubation: 29 - 32 days
Lifestyle:
Habit: Solitary. Fast flying hunter of
other birds. Pairs for life.
Diet: Mainly other birds.
Life span: Estimated at about 20 years
in the wild.
Related Species: The subspecies of peregrine
very enormously. The largest are found in Arctic regions and the
smallest in desert areas.
Distribution: Found in North and South
America, europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia
Conservation: The peregrine, like most
of the larger falcons, had become endangered Individual birds nesting in
vulnerable areas are sometimes guarded by volunteers.
Courtship Feeding: As part of the peregrine
falcon's courtship behavior, the male passes prey to the female, often
while in flight. To make this maneuver possible, the female rolls
over in midair to take the food from the males talons.
Did you know:
Peregrine falcon's have eyes that are larger
than human eyes; they can spot their prey from a height of 1,000 feet.
Ther male peregrine falcon is known as a tiercel
because it is a third (a tierce) smaller in size than the female.
In the United States the peregrine falcon is
often called the "dusk hawk" because it feeds on ducks.
Peregrines were deliberately shot during W.W.II
so they wouldn't catch carrier pigeons.
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