Peregrine Falcon

Least Concern

Falco peregrinus

Swift and powerful, this apex predator dives at speeds of up to 240 mph, making it the fastest animal on Earth.

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Peregrine Falcon is a striking raptor with a blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and a black head with distinctive facial markings. It has a hooked beak and powerful yellow legs with sharp talons.

Females are often darker than males but otherwise very similar in plumage. However, they are noticeably larger than males, often by up to 30%.

Juveniles have brown upperparts and streaked underparts, gradually moulting into adult plumage over their first year. Young birds are also streaked rather than barred below and have blueish (not yellow) skin around their eyes and the base of their bill.

Size

Length

34cm to 58cm

Wingspan

74cm to 120cm

Weight

330g to 1.5kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Blue Grey

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Black Grey Yellow

Leg Colour

Yellow

Special Accolade

Fastest Flying Bird

Recorded as the fastest bird in level flight

Record: 389 km/h (242 mph) diving speed

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

Distribution

Peregrine Falcons have a nearly worldwide distribution, absent only from Antarctica. They inhabit a wide range of environments, from Arctic tundra to tropical forests and, increasingly, urban areas.

They are right at home in many modern cities where rooftops and ledges make ideal nest sites, and feral Rock Doves provide a year-round food source.

In North America, they breed across Alaska and northern Canada, with populations in the western mountains and along both coasts. European populations are found from the UK to Russia, while they also occur across Australia and New Zealand.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,300 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Arctic, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

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Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 95
Strength 80
Adaptability 90
Aggressiveness 85
Endurance 88

Diet

Peregrine Falcons primarily hunt medium-sized birds, from pigeons to ducks, catching them in mid-air with their talons. They occasionally take small mammals and bats.

They are known to feed on hundreds or even thousands of different birds, ranging in size from Hummingbirds to Snow Geese and everything in between!

These falcons employ spectacular high-speed dives to strike their prey, often plucking birds out of the sky.

Behaviour

Peregrine Falcons are renowned for their high-speed hunting dives, or stoops, reaching speeds over 320 km/h (200 mph). They are solitary birds, only coming together during breeding season.

These falcons exhibit strong site fidelity, often returning to the same nesting locations year after year.

Vocalisation

Peregrine Falcons have a range of vocalisations, including a higher-pitched ‘chi chi chi’ and a loud, rapid 'kak-kak-kak' used as an alarm call or during territorial disputes.

During courtship, they produce a softer 'eechup' sound. When agitated, they may emit a high-pitched, piercing scream.

Nesting & Breeding

Peregrine Falcons typically form monogamous pairs, engaging in elaborate aerial courtship displays during late winter or early spring. They do not build nests but rather scrape a depression on cliff ledges or use existing structures.

Females lay 3-4 eggs, which are reddish-brown in colour. Both parents share incubation duties, which last about 29-32 days. The eggs are oval and measure about 5 cm in length.

Chicks fledge at 35-42 days old but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks as they perfect their flying and hunting skills.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 5 - 6 years
Max Recorded Lifespan 25 years [1]
0
7
14
20
27

years

The Peregrine Falcon typically lives for 5 to 6 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 25 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [2]

Peregrine Falcons have made a remarkable recovery since the ban of DDT in many countries. However, they still face threats from habitat loss, illegal hunting, and collisions with man-made structures.

Ongoing conservation efforts focus on nest site protection and urban habitat management.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

100,000 - 500,000 mature individuals [3]

Global Population Trend

Increasing[4]

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Peregrines near cliff faces or tall buildings in urban areas
  • Observe their distinctive, pointed wing shape during flight
  • Listen for their loud, repetitive 'kak-kak-kak' calls
  • In coastal areas, watch for their high-speed dives towards water birds
  • Use a spotting scope to view distant perched birds on high ledges

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Duck Hawk

Family:

Falconidae

Predators

Adult Peregrine Falcons have few natural predators, but eggs and chicks may fall victim to large owls, eagles, and climbing mammals like raccoons.

Did You Know?

  1. Peregrine Falcons can spot prey from over 3 km away.
  2. They have been recorded diving at speeds of up to 389 km/h (242 mph), making them the fastest animals in the world (National Geographic TV program).
  3. Peregrine Falcons have been used in falconry for over 3,000 years.
  4. Seabirds are an important component of the Peregrine Falcon diet, particularly for coastal populations.

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FAQs

What time of day do Peregrines hunt?

Peregrine Falcons are naturally diurnal birds that may hunt at any time of the day, with peaks in the morning and late afternoon. They may hunt bats in the twilight of dawn and dusk and even use artificial light to hunt at night in urban areas.

References

  1. 2 3 4

    website: BirdLife International. 2021. Falco peregrinus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T45354964A206217909.

    View source
  2. 1

    book, 1980: John Terres, The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds