15 Interesting Facts About Peregrine Falcons

Introduction:

Peregrine Falcons are some of the most impressive birds of prey in the world, and have left an indelible mark on the avian population. From their amazing speed and ability to adjust to a variety of living conditions, to their majestic beauty, these birds have plenty of interesting facts to discuss. Here, we will look at 15 fascinating facts about Peregrine Falcons that you may not have known.

Fact 1: Peregrine Falcons are One of the Fastest Creatures on Earth

Peregrine Falcons are capable of reaching staggering speeds of up to 200 mph in a dive, making them the fastest animals on the planet. They often use this speed and keen eyesight to dive onto prey midflight, catching them in their evasive talons.

Fact 2: Peregrine Falcons are a Species of Bird without Natural Predators

Due to the Peregrine Falcon’s impressive speed, superb eye-sight and ability to scale any terrain, they are one of the few species of birds without any natural predators. Peregrine Falcons have managed to establish stable populations all around the world, and thanks to conservation efforts, are no longer of concern from an endangerment standpoint.

Fact 3: Peregrine Falcons are Fastest of All Bird Species

Not only are Peregrine Falcons some of the fastest creatures on the planet, they are also the fastest of all bird species. While other birds can reach speeds of up to 100 mph, Peregrine Falcons can easily exceed that. They are the undisputed champion in speed among air-borne birds.

Fact 4: Peregrine Falcons Have Amazing Eyesight

Peregrine Falcons have the amazing ability to spot prey mid-flight, thanks to their impressive eyesight. They one of the few predators that have four times the normal 20/20 vision, giving them the capability of spotting targets from amazingly far distances.

Fact 5: Peregrine Falcons are Exceptionally Adaptive to Different Climate

Peregrine Falcons are known for their ability to quickly adapt to different living conditions, allowing them to populate areas across the world with ease. While they typically choose to stay around the gorges, cliffs and tall buildings, they have been known to nest in forests if given the opportunity.

Fact 6: Peregrine Falcons Have an Extensive Lifespan

Due to their impressive adaptation and resilience, Peregrine Falcons tend to have an extensive lifespan. On average, they can live up to 20 years in the wild, while captive birds can have lifespans of up to 30 years.

Fact 7: Peregrine Falcons Use an Adaptive Strategy for Breeding

Peregrine Falcons typically breed in the wild once a year, and when they do, they practice an interesting adaptive strategy. During lean times, they will lay fewer eggs, giving them more resources to focus on raising a single chick instead of multiple eggs.

Fact 8: Peregrine Falcons are Strigiform

Peregrine Falcons are a part of the Strigiform family, which includes all species of owls and other species of hawks. This classification of raptors once included the Osprey, though they were removed in 2014.

Fact 9: Peregrines Have Extensive Regional Variations

The Peregrine Falcon’s diverse range has caused some interesting regional variations amongst its populations. In some subspecies, they differ in size, color and even the type of prey they target, allowing them to hone their hunting skills for local game.

Fact 10: They are the National Bird of Qatar

The Peregrine Falcon is highly revered in countries such as Qatar, and is even their national bird since 1977. It is a symbol of strength and beauty, and a major part of the country’s culture.

Fact 11: Peregrine Falcons are the Subject of Much Research

Thanks to the Peregrine Falcon’s impressive abilities, they have become the subject of much research. From avian biologists to air force pilots researching their speed and adaptability, Peregrine Falcons are an interesting species to study.

Fact 12: Peregrines Were Once Nearly Extinct in North America

Due to the effects of pollution from industries, the Peregrine Falcon was pushed to the brink of extinction in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Thankfully, various conservation organizations were successful in bringing their populations back up, leading to a resurgence in the numbers of these amazing birds.

Fact 13: Peregrines use a Mating Display Called ‘Sky-Dancing’

During mating season, the males of the Peregrine Falcon species will perform an impressive display dubbed ‘sky-dancing’. This consists of rapidly flapping their wings, soaring and tumbling through the air, as well as making incredible dives to impress a potential mate.

Fact 14: Peregrines Have a Surprisingly Wide Diet

While they do mainly focus on large birds such as ducks and geese, Peregrine Falcons also consume a surprisingly large variety of prey. This includes insects, rabbits, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and even other birds of prey.

Fact 15: Peregrine Falcons Have an Impressive Broadcast Call

The Peregrine Falcon has an impressive broadcast call, starting with a a repetitive, low whirring sound. This quickly turns into a loud, piercing whistle, made up of several different vocalizations.

Conclusion

The Peregrine Falcon is an amazing species of raptor that is capable of incredible speeds, impressive eyesight, and an impressive broadcast call. They adapt well to different environments, have an extensive lifespan, and even use an interesting adaptive breeding strategy. Here, we have discussed 15 interesting facts about Peregrine Falcons that you may not have known.