Peregrine
Falcon
The peregrine falcon is the "jet" of the
bird world. A peregrine falcon in its stoop (fast dive)
is reckoned to be the fastest of the falcons. The peregrine has a distribution
that extends throughout the world.
The peregrine falcon - top predator
"Double
Trouble", Peregrine Falcons Hunting Wigeon
oil painting, 24 x 33 inches, £2695
For
Sale The peregrine falcon must be regarded as one of the
ultimate hunters of the skies. A peregrine captures
its food almost exclusively in mid air. A peregrine falcon
will attack using a ground-hugging approach followed by a surprise swoop upwards,
direct pursuit or a lethal fast stoop. Falcons have
a binocular vision up to eight times more powerful than our own. The peregrine
prefers to hunt out in the open where it is less likely to collide with anything.
There is also no cover for the prey to escape into. If the prey species get
any warning they might try and avoid the peregrine by forming a tight flock
or by trying to out climb it. The wing area of a peregrine is too small for
soaring to keep on the wing for long periods they would have to use up valuable
energy. Falcons are not designed to search, soaring above the ground instead
falcons wings are meant for speed. Most biologists estimate the maximum velocity
of a stooping peregrine falcon to be 100 - 200 miles per hour.
The peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus has a distinctive
silhouette. The breast of the falcon is very muscular and when the peregrine
stoops its wings are stiff and swept back. pictures
of falcon
Peregrines are the most migratory of the falcons. Some birds
migrate all the way from the Canadian arctic circle down to to Argentina. They
follow their prey species south before the winter closes in and return to breed
in the spring.
Peregrine falcon on the road to recovery
Threats to the Peregrine falcon
The peregrine falcon has suffered from much
persecution. When the popularity of falconry faded, people viewed falcons more
as competitors for game and classified them as pests. Later destruction of habitat
and poisoning by toxic pesticides became concerning issues..
The peregrine falcon and pesticides:
The doses of persistent pesticides that the peregrine digests from
its prey are concentrated because the falcon is near the top of the food chain.
This process is called biomagnification. Insecticides caused the egg shells to
thin, which resulted in females breaking the eggs that they were so diligently
trying to incubate. In the 1950's and 1960's scientists first became aware of
the impact the pesticides such as DDT and other organophosphates were having on
birds of prey. The peregrine was the most affected bird of prey.
Peregrine conservation:
Thanks to the dedication of conservationists and the work of biologists the
peregrine falcon is now doing much better. After pesticides were
connected with cancer and began showing up in breast milk their was banned in
many counties and the peregrine is now on the increase, recolonizing its range.
Most nations listed the peregrine as a protected species by 1980. Where populations
had become too fragmented reintroductions were made using captive breeding programs.
Peregrine falcon - a falconer's bird
Since way back in history the peregrine has been used
as a bird for falconry. In the Middle Ages falcons were flown to entertain royalty.
Kings and princes enjoyed lavish days out hunting with their falcons. Peregrines
were used to hunt ducks, rooks and even herons. The association with royalty still
continues today, mostly in the Middle East. Prize birds are often used as precious
gifts.
Peregrine falcon pictures
