Peregrine Falcon

"Falco Peregrinus"

The Peregrine Falcon is a large and very fast and powerful bird. It has a blue grey back and barred white underparts and has a black head and a black “moustache”

They are a schedule 1 listed species due to persecution and pesticides but are recovering due to the protection and legislation.

They eat pigeon, small ducks and small birds.

The photo above shows the male peregrine falcon teaching the newly fledged falcon how to catch his food

They are 39 to 50cm in length

They have a wingspan of 95 to 115cm

They weigh in at between 600 and 1300g.

It is our biggest falcon.

There are over 15,000 breeding pairs in the uk.

They will often be seen above cliffs and often in towns nesting on tall buildings such as cathedrals

There is a breeding pair on Chichester cathedral.

They live for around 6 years.

They are among the fastest animals on earth reaching speeds of up to 247 miles an hour while “stooping”down on their prey from a great height.