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Peregrine Falcons-The Fastest Creatures On Earth
Peregrine falcons have held the interest of people for thousands of years. In ancient civilizations the Peregrine has been admired, and revered.
In Egypt, out of hundreds of mummified birds, the falcon is among the most numerous. The Egyptians even made gods with heads shaped like those of falcons. Herodotus said that anyone killing a falcon in Egypt, even though accidentally, was put to death.
The Peregrine falcon, (Latin name Falco peregrinus), was, at one time, in danger of extinction in some places. Thankfully though, it is now to be seen in a number of countries as its numbers increase, and can be seen in Europe, North America, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands and Australia. According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, in the UK there are currently approximately 1,400 breeding pairs.
It is the fastest creature in the world, being able to reach speeds over 200 mph when in a dive.
Falcons are said to rise to a great height, always endeavoring to outsoar any bird of which they may be in pursuit in order to be able to plummet down with fierce velocity upon the prey below, and in doing so they often avail themselves of the wind, and by flying against it are borne aloft like a kite. Apart from its incredible speed through the air, it is extremely agile too.
Of all the falcons, the Peregrine is considered to be large and powerful. It has long, broad, pointed wings with a wingspan a wingspan of around 31–47 in, and a relatively short tail. Its body length is around 13–20 in. It is blue-grey above, the grey can be light, or on some birds dark, with a blackish top of the head with a white face. The female is bigger than the male, and in some pairs the female can be twice the weight of its male mate.
The Peregrine falcon tends to hunt for its food at dawn and dusk. Its food ranges from other birds such as pigeons, doves, wading birds to occasionally taking small reptiles and insects, bats, and other small mammals including rats, mice and squirrels.
Its preferred habitat in the UK during the breeding season are the uplands of the north and west and rocky seacoasts. Although it nests in a scrape, normally on cliff edges, it can be seen more frequently on high structures such as churches, or skyscraper window ledges in the cities.
The Peregrine`s nesting sites in the UK include the Tate Modern gallery in London, cathedrals in Lincoln and Chichester, a clock tower in Cardiff, Wales, and a large shopping precinct in Manchester. All places where food is readily available, especially pigeons.
Nest cams have been set up in a number of sites in order for people to gaze at the Peregrine falcons` chicks, and watch how the parents feed them with an unusual equal treatment of all the chicks, not just the stronger ones.
The Peregrine feel more secure when its nest is at a good height. It is also better placed to see its food, and to swoop down on its prey. So, it`s no surprise that as some of their normal habitats are disappearing the bird feels compelled to move into the cities to live.
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