Species Profile
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Peregrine Falcon
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Duck Hawk
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Appearance
The Peregrine Falcon is a striking raptor with a blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and a black head with distinctive facial markings. It has a hooked beak and powerful yellow legs with sharp talons.
Females are often darker than males but otherwise very similar in plumage. However, they are noticeably larger than males, often by up to 30%.
Juveniles have brown upperparts and streaked underparts, gradually moulting into adult plumage over their first year. Young birds are also streaked rather than barred below and have blueish (not yellow) skin around their eyes and the base of their bill.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Blue
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Yellow
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Peregrine Falcons have a nearly worldwide distribution, absent only from Antarctica. They inhabit a wide range of environments, from Arctic tundra to tropical forests and, increasingly, urban areas.
They are right at home in many modern cities where rooftops and ledges make ideal nest sites, and feral Rock Doves provide a year-round food source.
In North America, they breed across Alaska and northern Canada, with populations in the western mountains and along both coasts. European populations are found from the UK to Russia, while they also occur across Australia and New Zealand.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Wales
Rutland
Bristol
Cheshire
Cornwall
Derbyshire
Devon
Gloucestershire
Dorset
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Hampshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Merseyside
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
London
North Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
Shropshire
Somerset
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Peregrine Falcons primarily hunt medium-sized birds, from pigeons to ducks, catching them in mid-air with their talons. They occasionally take small mammals and bats.
They are known to feed on hundreds or even thousands of different birds, ranging in size from Hummingbirds to Snow Geese and everything in between!
These falcons employ spectacular high-speed dives to strike their prey, often plucking birds out of the sky.
Behaviour
Peregrine Falcons are renowned for their high-speed hunting dives, or stoops, reaching speeds over 320 km/h (200 mph). They are solitary birds, only coming together during breeding season.
These falcons exhibit strong site fidelity, often returning to the same nesting locations year after year.
Calls & Sounds
Peregrine Falcons have a range of vocalisations, including a higher-pitched ‘chi chi chi’ and a loud, rapid 'kak-kak-kak' used as an alarm call or during territorial disputes.
During courtship, they produce a softer 'eechup' sound. When agitated, they may emit a high-pitched, piercing scream.
Nesting & Breeding
Peregrine Falcons typically form monogamous pairs, engaging in elaborate aerial courtship displays during late winter or early spring. They do not build nests but rather scrape a depression on cliff ledges or use existing structures.
Females lay 3-4 eggs, which are reddish-brown in colour. Both parents share incubation duties, which last about 29-32 days. The eggs are oval and measure about 5 cm in length.
Chicks fledge at 35-42 days old but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks as they perfect their flying and hunting skills.
Conservation
Peregrine Falcons have made a remarkable recovery since the ban of DDT in many countries. However, they still face threats from habitat loss, illegal hunting, and collisions with man-made structures.
Ongoing conservation efforts focus on nest site protection and urban habitat management.
Elevation
Sea level to 3,300 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Adult Peregrine Falcons have few natural predators, but eggs and chicks may fall victim to large owls, eagles, and climbing mammals like raccoons.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Peregrines near cliff faces or tall buildings in urban areas
- Observe their distinctive, pointed wing shape during flight
- Listen for their loud, repetitive 'kak-kak-kak' calls
- In coastal areas, watch for their high-speed dives towards water birds
- Use a spotting scope to view distant perched birds on high ledges
Did You Know?
- Peregrine Falcons can spot prey from over 3 km away.
- They have been recorded diving at speeds of up to 389 km/h (242 mph), making them the fastest animals in the world (National Geographic TV program).
- Peregrine Falcons have been used in falconry for over 3,000 years.
- Seabirds are an important component of the Peregrine Falcon diet, particularly for coastal populations.
Records & Accolades
Fastest Flying Bird
389 km/h (242 mph) diving speed
Recorded as the fastest bird in level flight
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