Guardian Nature School Team Contact Blog Project Noah Facebook Project Noah Twitter

A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife

Join Project Noah!
nature school apple icon

Project Noah Nature School visit nature school

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus anatum

Description:

The Peregrine Falcon has a body length of 34 to 58 centimetres (13–23 in) and a wingspan from 74 to 120 centimetres (29–47 in). The male and female have similar markings and plumage, but as in many birds of prey the Peregrine Falcon displays marked reverse sexual dimorphism in size, with the female measuring up to 30% larger than the male. Males weigh 424 to 750 grams (0.93–1.7 lb) and the noticeably larger females weigh 910 to 1,500 grams (2.0–3.3 lb); for variation in weight between subspecies, see below. The standard linear measurements of Peregrines are: the wing chord measures 26.5–39 cm (10.4–15 in), the tail measures 13–19 cm (5.1–7.5 in) and the tarsus measures 4.5 to 5.6 cm (1.8 to 2.2 in). The back and the long pointed wings of the adult are usually bluish black to slate grey with indistinct darker barring (see "Subspecies" below); the wingtips are black. The white to rusty underparts are barred with thin clean bands of dark brown or black. The tail, coloured like the back but with thin clean bars, is long, narrow, and rounded at the end with a black tip and a white band at the very end. The top of the head and a "moustache" along the cheeks are black, contrasting sharply with the pale sides of the neck and white throat.[18] The cere is yellow, as are the feet, and the beak and claws are black.[19] The upper beak is notched near the tip, an adaptation which enables falcons to kill prey by severing the spinal column at the neck.[4][5][6] The immature bird is much browner with streaked, rather than barred, underparts, and has a pale bluish cere and orbital ring.

Habitat:

Nearly decimated in the 1970's by widespread use of the pesticide DDT, the peregrine falcon is making a slow comeback as a federally protected endangered species. A relative of the eagle, peregrines are crow-sized birds of prey known especially for their swift and agile flight. One of the world's fastest birds, these adept hunters take their prey in flight; the peregrine's long, slender wings can propel it to speeds up to 200 miles per hour when diving in pursuit of prey. Peregrine falcons are found on every continent except Antarctica, enjoying the widest range of all bird species. During April, May, October, and November, peregrine falcons migrate along the Central Flyway from Canada to the Texas coast; there, the falcons spend several weeks resting and feeding in preparation for flight further south along the coast. Songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and seabirds comprise the peregrine falcon's diet. Peregrines usually hunt in open areas with cliffs or other high vantage points above rivers and coasts. Occasionally, peregrines may nest on bridges and buildings as well. Peregrines measure sixteen to twenty inches long, with a wingspan up to forty-six inches. Characterized by a black head with a white neck patch and throat, a blue-gray back, and a pale white underside marked with black bars, the peregrine is a distinctive sight. Male and female peregrine falcons are identical in appearance, although the female is slightly larger. Two good locations to observe peregrine falcons in Texas are Matagorda Island State Park and Padre Island National Seashore. The falcons are often seen hunting above the dunes.

Notes:

Found at Choke Canyon, Three Rivers, Texas.

Species ID Suggestions



Sign in to suggest organism ID

17 Comments

maplemoth662
maplemoth662 6 years ago

Photo No. 1: is a beautiful photo....

Dixie
Dixie 10 years ago

Thank you Stian Waaler! They were posing for me that day.

Stian Waaler
Stian Waaler 10 years ago

Fantastic pictures Dixie!

Dixie
Dixie 10 years ago

Thank you EnvUnlimited.

Dixie
Dixie 10 years ago

Thank you Ashley. This one was kind enough to pose for me!

AshleyT
AshleyT 10 years ago

Beautiful! Still waiting to find my first one :)

Dixie
Dixie 10 years ago

Thank you Ricardo!

RicardoVenerando
RicardoVenerando 10 years ago

Extraordinary,perfect!!

Dixie
Dixie 11 years ago

Thank you Jack! I love 'em too.

Jack Settle
Jack Settle 11 years ago

Love these birds! I have a falconer friend with a peregrine crossed with a gyrfalcon!

Dixie
Dixie 11 years ago

Thank you Jakubko!

Jacob Gorneau
Jacob Gorneau 11 years ago

Awesome series, Dixie!

Dixie
Dixie 11 years ago

Thank you key_man. They are amazing!

key_man
key_man 11 years ago

An amazing bird, seen a one stoop a couple time and take another bird mid-air, amazing to watch.

Dixie
Dixie 11 years ago

Thanks Env! They are cool, aren't they. This one was on the same tree as an Osprey.

Dixie
Dixie 11 years ago

Thank you Elsa!

Elsa
Elsa 11 years ago

What a stunning raptor! Great pictures :)

Dixie
Spotted by
Dixie

Three Rivers, Texas, USA

Spotted on Feb 9, 2013
Submitted on Feb 9, 2013

Related Spottings

Falco Falco Merlin Common Kestrel

Nearby Spottings

Osprey Spotting Black and Yallow Garden Spider American Alligator
Noah Guardians
Noah Sponsors
join Project Noah Team

Join the Project Noah Team