# Peregrine Falcon (*Falco peregrinus*) The Peregrine Falcon is a fast and beautiful bird. They are known for their amazing speed, soaring high in the sky and diving to catch their food. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 29 - **Also known as:** Duck Hawk, Great Falcon ![Peregrine Falcon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425915/objects/4599.jpg) ## Appearance The Peregrine Falcon has a sleek, powerful body with pointed wings and a short tail. It is slate-grey on its back and barred white underneath, featuring a distinctive dark 'helmet' and 'moustache' marking on its face. This raptor's sharp contrast and robust build set it apart. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Falconiformes - **Family:** Falconidae - **Genus:** Falco ## Interesting facts - A Peregrine Falcon's powerful heart can beat an astonishing 900 times per minute! - Peregrine Falcons often build nests on tall city skyscrapers, acting just like natural cliffs! - Their dark 'moustache' helps reduce sun glare, just like a football player's eye black! - They are the fastest animal on Earth, especially when performing their hunting dive! ## Special abilities - **Supersonic Dive:** Peregrine Falcons can dive over 380 km/h because of their aerodynamic body and pointed wings that help them stoop rapidly to catch prey. - **Eagle Eyesight:** Peregrine Falcons have incredible eyesight that helps them spot small birds from distances over 3 kilometers away. - **Airborne Hunter:** Peregrine Falcons can snatch other birds mid-flight because of their exceptional speed and agility that helps them hunt in the air. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 34-58 cm - **Wingspan:** 80-120 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-15 years - **Speed:** 389 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-5 - **Incubation:** 29-32 days - **Migration Distance:** 10000 km ## Diet & Feeding These amazing hunters primarily eat other birds, catching them mid-flight with incredible speed! - **Primary Foods:** rock pigeons, european starlings, gulls, ducks, shorebirds - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Rock Pigeon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rock-pigeon) (*Columba livia*) — Primary prey in urban environments. - **Hunts:** [European Starling](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-starling) (*Sturnus vulgaris*) — Frequently targets large flocks. - **Hunts:** [Ring-billed Gull](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ring-billed-gull) (*Larus delawarensis*) — Preys on gulls near coasts. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always enjoy watching birds from a distance. They are wild animals and should be respected. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Peregrine Falcon? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Peregrine Falcon? 34-58 cm ### What is Peregrine Falcon's wingspan? 80-120 cm ### How much does Peregrine Falcon weigh? 0.5-1.5 kg ### How long does Peregrine Falcon live? 6-15 years ### How fast can Peregrine Falcon move? 389 km/h ### What does Peregrine Falcon eat? These amazing hunters primarily eat other birds, catching them mid-flight with incredible speed! ### How does Peregrine Falcon hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Anderson Japanese Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-japanese-gardens) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Bristol Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bristol-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Brookside Reservation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookside-reservation) — Ohio, US · Park - [Centennial Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/centennial-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Hooes Road Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hooes-road-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Market Square](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/market-square) — Tennessee, US · Historic District [View all places to see Peregrine Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/peregrine-falcon) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Peregrine Falcon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peregrine-falcon)