Hands Down Animals · Printable fact sheet
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Falco peregrinus |
|---|---|
| Size | 34-58 cm in length, 80-120 cm wingspan |
| Weight | 0.6 - 1.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 13 years on average, up to 20 years in the wild |
| Diet | Primarily medium-sized birds (such as pigeons, doves, songbirds, and ducks), occasionally small mammals and… |
| Habitat | Cliffs and rocky outcrops, Open grasslands, Mountain regions |
| Where it lives | North America, South America, Europe, Asia |
| IUCN status | Least Concern |
| Population | 140,000 mature individuals |
| Top speed | 320 km/h |
| Family | Falconidae |
About the peregrine falcon
The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, folding its wings into a hunting dive that has been clocked at over 300 km/h. It nests on cliffs on every continent except Antarctica and has taken readily to city skyscrapers, where pigeons provide easy prey. Pesticide-thinned eggshells nearly wiped it out in North America and Europe by the 1970s; after DDT bans and reintroductions it is now Least Concern.
Five things to know
- Peregrine Falcons are the fastest animals on Earth, reaching dive speeds over 320 km/h (200 mph).
- They have made a remarkable recovery after 20th-century population crashes due to DDT.
- Peregrines are found on every continent except Antarctica.
- They often nest on tall urban buildings, adapting well to city life.
- The species name 'peregrinus' means 'wanderer,' reflecting their immense migratory range.
Homeschool unit: Birds homeschool guide — Flight, feathers and migration: a bird unit that uses raptors like the peregrine falcon as its worked examples.