Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon Information
Length: 15 - 21"
Habitat: Open country, esp. overlooking rivers, lakes, or seacoasts; open forests and wetlands; prefers area with nearby cliffs or rock outcrops for nesting.
Also nests on bridges and tall building in cities.
Diet: Birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, pigeons, songbirds, as well as many others. Also eats bats. Occasionally, other small mammals and fish.
Calls of the Peregrine Falcon
Additional Information
Peregrine FalconHabitat, diet, feeding behavior, nesting, migration, and conservation status of this bird. Includes range map, photos, and songs and calls. (From Audubon Field Guide)
Peregrine Falcon
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Peregrine Falcon
Identification Tips
- Large falcon
- Long, pointed wings extend to tail tip at rest
- Short, dark, hooked beak
- 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
(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)
Peregrine Falcon
Breeding Range
The peregrine falcons we see in New England breed mostly in northern Canada and Alaska as well as other areas north of there. They are known to breed locally in the contiguous United States, including in some locations in New England.
In the 1960's, peregrine falcons were no longer breeding successfully in New England due to the negative effects of DDT and other chemicals. After DDT was banned in the 1970's, these raptors were reintroduced. After the gradual growth of their population, peregrines are now found at many of their original breeding sites.
Peregrine Falcon
Range Maps from Cornell
Peregrine Falcon
breeding, migration, nonbreeding and year-round range
Includes separate map of sightings.