Peregrine Falcon

(Falco peregrinus)

Conservation Status
Peregrine Falcon
Photo by Ramona Abrego
  IUCN Red List

LC - Least Concern

 
  NatureServe

N4B, N4N - Apparently Secure Breeding and Nonbreeding

S2B - Imperiled Breeding

 
  Minnesota

Special concern

Species in Greatest Conservation Need

 
           
           
           
           
 
Description
 
 

The back and tail are bluish-gray. The head has dark, almost black, hood-like markings. The face has a conspicuous, broad, black, “mustache” mark. The underparts are light with small dark spots. The sides are pale with narrow black banding.

 
     
 

Size

 
 

Male
15 to 17in length
36 to 42wingspan

Female
17 to 19in length
42 to 48wingspan

 
     
 

Voice

 
   
   
     
 

Similar Species

 
  Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) has a lighter head, much thinner “mustache”, and dark wing pits visible from below in flight.  
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Cliff ledges, bridges, buildings

 
     
 
Ecology
 
 

Migration

 
 

Early March to late May and mid-August through November

 
     
 

Nesting

 
 

 

 
     
 

Food

 
 

Mostly medium-sized birds, including pigeons, waterfowl, shorebirds, flickers, and larger songbirds. Rarely small mammals.

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Occurrence

 
 

Reintroduced. Rare migrant.

In 1999, the US Fish & Wildlife Service removed American Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. It was determined that the subspecies “has recovered following restrictions on organochlorine pesticides in the United States and Canada, and following the implementation of successful management activities.” In 1996, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reclassified it from endangered to threatened. In 2013, the DNR reclassified it from threatened to special concern.

 
         
 

Maps

 
 

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Class Aves (birds)  
 

Order

Falconiformes (falcons and caracaras)  
 

Family

Falconidae (falcons and caracaras)  
 

Subfamily

Falconinae  
 

Genus

Falco (typical falcons)  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

African Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus minor)

American Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum)

Arctic Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus tundrius)

Austral Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus cassini)

Australian Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus macropus)

Barbary Falcon (Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides) *

Eastern Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus japonensis)

Eurasian Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinus)

Indian Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinator)

Mediterranean Peregrine Falcon (Maltese Falcon) (Falco peregrinus brookei)

Peale’s Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus pealei)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus calidus)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus ernesti)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus furuitii)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus madens)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus nesiotes)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus radama)

Red-naped Shaheen (Falco peregrinus babylonicus)

Southwest Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus submelanogenys)

_______________

* There is some disagreement whether Barbary Falcon (Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides) is a subspecies, or a distinct species (Falco pelegrinoides). If the latter, then it also incorporates Red-naped Shaheen (Falco peregrinus babylonicus).

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

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Christa Rittberg

 
    Peregrine Falcon      
 

Ramona Abrego

 
 

Captive bird – Wildlife Science Center

 
    Peregrine Falcon   Peregrine Falcon  
           
    Peregrine Falcon   Peregrine Falcon  
           
    Peregrine Falcon      
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
 

 

 
           

 

Camera

 

     
 
Slideshows
 
  Peregrine Falcon
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren
 
  Peregrine Falcon  
  Peregrine Falcon
Ed McVicker
 
  Peregrine Falcon  
  Peregrine Falcon
JMC Nature Photos
 
  Peregrine Falcon  

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

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Other Videos
 
  World's Fastest Animal. The Peregrine Falcon HD
Voluspa / Asatru
 
   
 
About

Published on May 24, 2013

   
  Peregrine Falcon is the Fastest Animal in the World!
Brave Wilderness
 
   
 
About

Published on Mar 24, 2015

Coyote Peterson is getting an education in speed from the fastest animal in the world the Peregrine Falcon! This stealthy bird is one top predator and in the wild can reach speeds well over 200MPH but today we are going to slow things down a bit to hang out with our new friend Aragon.

Aragon is a falcon that was injured but was lucky enough to have found a new home at the Ohio Wildlife Center and is now a representative for his species and a proud feather donor for other birds that need a little help. One thing is for sure, these birds are absolutely beautiful!

Breaking Trail leaves the map behind and follows adventurer and animal enthusiast Coyote Peterson and his crew as they encounter a variety of wildlife in the most amazing environments throughout North America!

New Episodes Every Tuesday at 9AM EST!

Subscribe Now! https://www.youtube.com/user/BreakingTrail

Find more info at: https://www.CoyotePeterson.com

Coyote Peterson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/COYOTEPETERSON

Coyote Peterson on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoyotePeterson

Coyote Peterson G+: https://plus.google.com/100310803754690323805/about

*A special thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers of the Ohio Wildlife Center for making this episode possible.

Please consider donating to their efforts by visiting their website http://www.ohiowildlifecenter.org/dnn/

   
  High-Velocity Falcon
National Geographic
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Dec 27, 2007

How fast can a peregrine falcon fly? One scientist aims to find out by skydiving along with the birds.

See All National Geographic Videos
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/?source=4001

   
  Peregrine Falcon Sky Dive - Inside the Perfect Predator - BBC
BBCWorldwide
 
   
 
About

Published on Aug 13, 2011

The Peregrine Falcon is a bird of prey. This footage shows stunning footage of one such bird diving through the sky over London in order to try and catch a pidgeon. Visit http://www.bbcearth.com for all the latest animal news and wildlife videos and watch more natural history videos on the new BBC Earth YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/bbcearth

   
  Peregrine Falcon "Bizbul" in Minneapolis. Mn. in HD
pefawa
 
   
 
About

Published on Aug 2, 2013

Bizbul watching finches and sparrows, preening, and stretching..

July 28th, 2013

   

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this bird.

 
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  Carol Rupp
9/18/2023

Location: Maple Grove

It landed at my patio fountain. Looked to be a juvenile.

 
  Ramona Abrego

Location: Forest Lake

Captive bird – Wildlife Science Center

Peregrine Falcon  
  Carol Peckskamp
3/11/2020

Location: Elk River, MN

Want  to watch the birds nest and grow young )

   
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
   

 

 

Binoculars

 

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