Peregrine Falcon (Eastern Population)

The peregrine falcon is an endangered species. Endangered species are animals and plants that are in danger of becoming extinct. Threatened species are animals and plants that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Identifying, protecting, and restoring endangered and threatened species is the primary objective of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's endangered species program.

What is the Peregrine Falcon?

Scientific Name

Falco peregrinus

Appearance

Peregrine falcons are crow-sized birds of prey with long, pointed wings and a long tail. These birds have bluish backs, wings and flanks barred with black, a white face with a black stripe on each side, and large, dark eyes.

Reproduction

Peregrines first breed when two or three years old. They nest mainly on high cliffs, although some birds nest on bridges or ledges of skyscrapers in large cities. The female lays 3-5 eggs and after 32-34 days, the eggs hatch. Young leave the nest when they are 35-40 days old.

Feeding Habits

Peregrines usually hunt their prey in flight. Peregrine falcons eat small to medium-sized birds. Those living in urban areas eat pigeons, starlings, and other birds.

Range

Three subspecies of the peregrine falcon occur in North America. The Peale's peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus pealei) is resident year-round on the northwest Pacific coast. The arctic peregrine falcon (F. p. tundrius) nests in the tundra regions of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. The American peregrine falcon (F. p. anatum) breeds throughout much of the remainder of North America, from the subarctic boreal forest to Mexico.

Populations

The eastern population of the American peregrine falcon is found in North America from the Great Plains eastward, including adjacent portions of Canada. Within the Great Plains, eastern peregrine falcons have begun nesting in urban settings while the related prairie falcon continues nesting on the plains.