Peregrine Falcon

Introduction: Found among all continents except Antarctica, the Peregrine falcon is a common falcon throughout the globe. When they hunt, they dive from high altitudes and stoop their prey at speeds over 200 miles per hour, making it the fastest animal on the planet. The name â€Å"peregrine† falcon means wanderer and refers to the bird’s long migration path, which has been known to be as far away as 15,500 miles from their original nesting spots. After having a severe drop in Peregrine population during the 1960s and 1970s, this majestic falcon has made a comeback and can be seen throughout many suburban and urban areas of North America. Interesting Facts: * The Peregrine Falcon is on the featured on the Idaho quarter issued in 2007 * Suzuki named the company’s fastest production model, Hayabusa, after the Peregrine Falcon. Hayabusa means Peregrine Falcon in Japanese * Peregrine falcons don’t build nests. They scrape a depression into the soil on the ground or on a ledge, or an abandoned nest that was left behind Map of Region Peregrine Falcon Duck Hawk, Great-Footed Hawk, Wandering Falcon Falco Peregrinus Fact Sheet: * Size: * Body- 14-19 in. * Wingspan- 3. 3-3. 6 ft. * Weight- 18. 8 to 56. 5 oz. * Diet- Starlings, pigeons, blackbirds, jays, shorebirds, waterfowl, bats, and other small mammals * Reproduction: * Number of eggs- 3-4 * Mate once a year * Same partner for life * Nest location- Cliffs or tall buildings * Return to the same spot annually * Name for chicks- eyases * Chicks fledge 42 to 46 days * Time dependent on their parents- Up to 2 months Habitat-All continents except Antarctica * Life span- Up to 17 years Bibliography: * http://www. discoverycove. org/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/aves/falconiformes/peregrine-falcon. htm * http://ohiodnr. com/wildlife/dow/falcons/facts. aspx * http://www. raptorresource. org/facts. htm * http://animals. nationalgeographic. com/animals/birds/peregrine-falcon. html * http://www. peregrinef und. org/explore_raptors/falcons/peregrin. html * http://www. allaboutbirds. org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/lifehistory#at_food