Peregrine Falcon

Other names
The Peregrine falcons scientific name is Falco Peregrinus, it means wandering falcon. The name comes from a Latin word Peregrinus which means wander. The male falcon is known as a Tiercel and the female as a Falcon, the chicks are known as Eyasses. The Peregrine falcon is commonly referred to a Duck Hawk.

Desciption
The Peregrine falcon has claws for gripping onto things and wings to fly. It is 35-50cm long with a wingspan of 100cm +. The males are smaller than the females and the females are more powerful than the males. The male Peregrine weighs 425-750grams while the females weigh 910-1,500grams. The Peregrine falcon has a grey back, creamy chest and a black head. The call of the falcon is loud screeching. The Peregrine falcons body has a narrow tail and its wings are pointed for a fast, strong flight. The falcons bones are hollow, so that's why it goes so fast. It has a notch in its beak for snapping the necks of prey. The Peregrine falcon uses It's claws to grab or attack prey. The Peregrine has a third eye lid. The third eye lid is to protect and moisten it while maintaining visibility.

Behaviour
Peregrine falcons migrate long distances each year to warmer wintering locations. On the trip some storms and severe weather conditions can make them go off course a bit but they still end near the same place they were heading for. The Peregrine falcon attacks other species of their kind if they get a bit close. The Peregrine always attacks when flying. The female Peregrine usually lays 2-4 eggs. The eggs take 29-32 days to incubate. Newly born Peregrine falcons are completely dependent on their mother. The chicks take their first flight at 6 weeks then 2-3 weeks later they learn how to hunt. Peregrine falcons mature at 1 year. Peregrine's always return to their favourite nesting places each year.

Diet
The diet of the Peregrine falcon is manly birds but they can eat other things as well. The Peregrine is a carnivore, it eats birds around the size of a pigeon. It can also eat small mammals or reptiles.

Calls
Loud, harsh, and continuous calls of cack-cack-cack-cack-cack near nesting site. It is also very loud screeching.

Distribution/habitat
The Peregrine lives all over the world except Antarctica, New Zealand and Iceland. They are usually found in woodlands, wetlands, cliffs and even cities.