Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Measurements: 0.34-0.50m long; wingspan 0.8-1.2m
The celebrated Peregrine is one of the world’s most admired birds, revered by falconers, the general public and birdwatchers alike. It holds two impressive records: it is the world’s fastest-flying animal – during its remarkable vertical plunges (“stoops”) it has been reliably recorded doing a speed of 180km/h (very much higher figures have also been claimed). And it is also, arguably, the world’s most widely naturally distributed land bird, occurring on every continent, in a wide variety of different habitats, and in every climatic zone from the Arctic to the tropics. Barn Owl is its main rival.
By Jonathan Eisen – https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/113345020, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=100618800
Seeing a Peregrine in the wild is never dull, not only because it is effortless and powerful through the air, but also because all other birds see it as a danger and its appearance inevitably engenders terror. A flock of roosting waders or gulls will one moment be at ease, with heads in wing and resting on one leg, the next moment they will be flying in all directions in a state of near panic. Alarm calls will fill the air – and that is before the Peregrine has even mounted an attack.
Birds have reason to be cautious. For, although the Peregrine has favourite foods – pigeons, grouse and Starlings, for example – it will kill almost any species, given the opportunity. In Britain, for example, it has been recorded killing birds of about 120 species, and in the Northern Hemisphere (mainly Europe and North America) over 300. These victims range in size from the very smallest (Goldcrest) to one of substantial proportions (Grey Heron); and they come, democratically enough, from almost every group of birds – even fellow raptors are at risk. However, to give the impression that a Peregrine sets out to log an impressive list of casualties would be quite wrong; many individuals concentrate just on one or a few abundant species, especially in the breeding season.
By Mike Baird – Flickr: Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) at Morro Rock, Morro Bay, CA 03 Dec. 2012, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23003307
For hunting these birds require open country free of obstacles, so wetlands, moorland, tundra and the coast are all ideal habitats. Their principal technique involves plummeting down through the air and striking prey in mid-flight, disabling or killing it on impact, sometimes breaking its neck. The initial selection is made as the bird perches on a suitable lookout post, or circles high upwards. Then it positions itself high above the quarry and plunges down, wings partly open, intending to take the chosen victim by surprise. However much you read about it or may anticipate it, a Peregrine stooping down at its outlandish speed and striking its target with a puff of feathers is a truly breathtaking sight. It is raw and shocking, yet admirable and impressive, too.
Although Peregrines are violent killers, there is little aggression about them in other ways. They are hardly territorial at all, with very few skirmishes reported; it appears that the occupancy of a home range is enough to deter intruders. The young Peregrines in the nest are also non-competitive, lacking the murderous zeal of some other birds of prey.
Most individuals live in one area, with one mate, throughout their lives. All they require is a hunting and breeding area, the latter usually consisting of a cliff ledge, but sometimes a tall building. Peregrine home ranges are traditional and are passed down the generations. Some are known to have been occupied for 400 years or more.
From ‘Birds: A Complete Guide to All British and European Species’, by Dominic Couzens. Published by Collins and reproduced with permission.