peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION

• Length: 15 inches Wingspan: 40 inches

• Large falcon

• Long, pointed wings extend to tail tip at rest

• Short, dark, hooked beak

Adult:

• Black cap and moustache

• Pale throat and breast

• Barred belly

• Gray upperparts

• Underwings barred black and white

• Long, thin tail with gray and white bands

• Arctic race is paler; Northwest race is darker

Immature:

• Dark brown cap and moustache

• Dark brown upperparts

• Streaked underparts

• Some races have paler heads

Similar species:

The long, pointed wings and long tail mark this bird as being a falcon. It is
most likely to be confused with other falcons. Merlin is much smaller, has a
less-distinct mustache mark, and a more strongly barred tail. Prairie falcon
has a black underwing patch and lacks the strong moustache mark. Gyr-
falcon is larger with broader wings and tail and lacks the bold moustache
mark. When perched, other falcons' wings do not reach the end of the tail
as they do in the peregrine.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status:Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat:N/A
Nest Location:N/A
Nest Type:N/A
Clutch Size:3-4
Length of Incubation: 29-32 days
Days to Fledge:35-42
Number of Broods:1
Diet: Almost exclusively birds

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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