The iconic Peregrine Falcon is arguably
the most famous of all birds of prey. It is
renowned as being the fastest animal on the
planet. The Peregrine is found worldwide with
it's breeding range including land regions from
the Arctic tundra to the Tropics and has upto 20
recognised sub-species. It lives mostly along
mountain ranges, river valleys, coastlines, and
increasingly in cities. With long narrow wings &
tail it's hunting style is typical for falcons using
speed and agility to catch airbourne prey.
It descends on it's prey from above, often at
great speed, and strikes it with enough force to
kill it and knock it from the sky. It can also bind
to it's prey in mid-air. Peregrines have been
monitored reaching speeds of 200mph during
their stoop. The adults are usually bluish black
to slate grey with darker barring, black wingtips
and white to rusty underparts. The immature bird
is much browner with streaked, rather than
barred underparts, & has a pale bluish cere on
the beak. The Peregrine nests in a scrape,
normally on cliff edges and more recently on
buildings and bridges. A clutch of 1 - 5 eggs
are incubated for between 29 - 33 days.
