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Falcons
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Medium size bird of prey
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Long pointed tail and wings
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Adults have blue-gray backs
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Faces are white with a prominent
"Mustache" on the side of the face
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Young birds are brown above and
buffy below, with streaks rather than bars
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Peregrines can have a wing span
of approximately 1 m (3 ft.)
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Peregrines measure up to 38-50
cm (15-20 inches)
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Female Peregrines are larger
than the males.
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The peregrines’ species designation is Falco Peregrinis, which
means “wandering falcon.” The peregrine is a bird of prey -- a raptor.
In the 1960’s, use of the pesticide DDT nearly wiped out the entire
population. In the early 1970’s, DDT was banned and the American
peregrine was declared an endangered species. Falconers, who are
experts at handling, training and flying various birds of prey,
have helped scientists re-establish the species in the United States.
Peregrines inhabit some of the earth’s wildest and least accessible
terrain. They are among the most widely distributed of birds, with
nests on every continent except Antarctica. Peregrines are a migratory
species whose winter vacation spots range from Little Rock, Arkansas
to the tip of Argentina. They’ll sometimes winter at a power plant
if there’s enough open water and an adequate food supply, such as
pigeons, nearby. |
Part
I
March
3, 2006