Animal Fact Sheets
Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
Classification
and Range
Peregrines are in the family Falconidae that
includes the falcons and caracaras. The genus Falco has
38 species of falcons. Peregrines are distributed worldwide
but nest mostly in arctic and temperate regions. Three
North American subspecies are recognized. The tundra
race (tundrius) is highly migratory and found from coast
to coast. The Peale’s peregrine (pealei) nests
from coastal Alaska down the coast to Washington. Continental
peregrines (anatum) were extirpated from eastern North
America before 1970, but after reintroduction efforts,
they are once again found across the continent.
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Habitat
Peregrines typically require mountain crags and cliffs for nesting. Often these
overlook river valleys or marine habitats. They prefer long cliffs with
several ledges where access is difficult for man and other potential sources
of disturbance. Open areas are required for hunting avian prey. Peregrines
are found in most major North American cities, as skyscrapers mimic their
preferred cliff habitats.
Physical Characteristics
Peregrines are sleek-bodied, crow-sized raptors with long pointed
wings. Weights range from 1-2.5 pounds (.45-1.13 kg) with females
considerably larger than males. There is racial variation with
Peale’s being the largest and darkest and the tundra
race the smallest. Peregrines appear hooded.
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Range Map |
Adults have grayish
backs with a light upper breast and dark barring on the lower
breast. Juveniles are browner and heavily streaked below. Sexes
are similar in plumage. The bare skin of the feet, cere and
eye ring is yellow in adults and light blue in the young birds
Life Span
Usually less than 20 years in captivity, rarely that long in the wild
Diet
In the wild: They feed almost exclusively on birds which are taken in midair
while making spectacular vertical dives called stoops. Shorebirds are a
favorite, although urban peregrines feast on pigeons. Rarely mammals are
taken, and young birds will go after large flying insects.
At the zoo: Coturnix
quail.
Reproduction
Peregrines form long-term pair bonds and
are highly protective of their nesting territory, which they
use year after year. They produce one clutch per year, but will
occasionally re-lay if the nest fails early in the cycle. Three
to five reddish blotched cream colored eggs are laid in a scrape
or depression on a cliff ledge. Although the female does most
of the incubation, both parents take part for an average of 33-35
days. Many peregrines use platform nestboxes that have been provided
on buildings and other man-made structures. Rarely, abandoned
tree nests of other birds are used.
Life
Cycle
The
female does the majority of brooding of the nestlings. The young become mobile
in the nest at 28 days, and usually fledge within 40 days. After the youngsters
leave the nest, they continue to receive parental care, as they are taught
how to catch their own food. This continues for at least two months, and in
migratory populations, sometimes will continue after the family departs southward.
Some peregrines will remain in their nesting territory year-round, although
northern populations migrate south. Tundra peregrines may travel from the arctic
to South America and back each year.
The
Fastest Moving Animal
Peregrines are the best known of all the falcons due to their wide range
as well as their extraordinarily spectacular stooping ability. Incredible
speed, maneuverability and strength combine to make them the embodiment
of the ultimate avian predator. Peregrines will identify prey from distances
up to one mile away. After choosing a potential victim, they will occasionally
take it by direct attack, or more commonly, rise high above and dive
or stoop at the bird that they wish to kill. Many people have been skeptical
at the estimated speeds for these spectacular stoops. In recent years
radar guns have been used to measure the speed of a diving bird at well
in excess of 200 mph (320 kph)! Their quarry is almost always a bird
and it is captured in midair. A notch on the upper beak known as the
tomial tooth is used by all falcons, including peregrines, to severe
the spinal column of injured victims. Peregrines sometimes consume smaller
prey species in flight after dispatching them, particularly during migration.
Location
at the Zoo
A peregrine falcon can be seen at the zoo’s Raptor Center. Other birds
of prey that can be viewed at the Raptor Center include the bald eagle, Harris’s
hawk, gyrfalcon, turkey vulture as well as spectacled and barred owls.
Conservation
Connection
Peregrine falcons were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act
of 1973. Although never that abundant as breeding birds in the continental United
States, the population went into a nose-dive beginning in the late 1940s. By
the mid-1960s nesting populations had been eliminated east of the Mississippi
River. Western populations were reduced by up to 90%. Scientists investigating
the decline found very high concentrations of the pesticide DDT and its by-products
in their tissues. Because they fed on birds, many of which ate insects, peregrines
received a mega-dose due to bioaccumulation of DDT and its residues up the food
chain. The chemicals interfered with calcium deposition on their eggs, which
failed to hatch. Illegal shooting, collisions with man-made objects, and egg
and chick collection also impacted populations, but none of these compared with
the drastic effects of pesticides. DDT was banned for usage in North America
in 1972, and coupled with protection under the ESA and captive reintroduction
efforts, these magnificent birds began to recover. In 1984, the tundra subspecies
was downgraded to threatened status, and by the mid-1990s populations of American
peregrine falcons began to approach the recovery goals that were set when they
were listed. They were delisted in August 1999. They may even exceed historical
levels here in the Northwest, as human related changes have resulted in more
open space, which provides suitable foraging habitat for these falcons. The peregrine
falcon continues to be listed on Appendix 1 by CITIES.
Humans
need raptors. Here are only a few of the benefits raptors
provide:
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Raptors
help keep animal populations in balance.
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Raptors
consume many animals that humans consider as pests, including mice,
rats and destructive species of insects. This helps to control disease
and damage to crops.
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As
top predators of their food chain, raptors are an indicator species
of the overall health of the ecosystem in which they live.
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Of
equal importance, witnessing wild raptors enriches each of our lives.
Imagine what life would be like if we could no longer gaze upon the
grandeur of raptors soaring high above.
How
You Can
Help!
Efforts to save threatened and endangered raptors require cooperation and support
at international, national, regional and individual levels. You can help in this
cause. Join and become active in Woodland Park Zoo and other conservation organizations
of your choice. Recycle forest products. Eliminate or reduce pesticide use. Let
your elected representatives know your views about the conservation of migratory
birds and their wild habitats.
Contact Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org to
find ways you can support conservation programs at the zoo. Discover more about
raptors by
contacting the Peregrine Fund at their Web site www.peregrinefund.org.
Learn other ways you can help conserve wildlife and their habitats by visiting
our How You Can Help page.
Sources
and Suggested Reading
Johnsgard, Paul A. 1990. Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons of North America.
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. 403 p.
For
Kids!
Burnie, David. 1988. Bird (Eyewitness Books). Alfred
A. Knopf, Inc., New York, NY. 64 p.
Zoobooks. 1986. Birds of Prey. Wildlife Education, Ltd., San Diego,
CA. 16 p.