Peregrine falcon

Peregrine falcon

As a thank you for the great support of our youth programme "Natur beflügelt", we would like to honour Dr Andrea Steinle with the sponsorship of the peregrine falcon.

With a body length of up to 50 cm, the peregrine falcon(Falco peregrinus) is a large member of the falcon family (Falconidae). With the exception of the extreme arid and icy deserts, New Zealand, the Congo Basin and some islands, it is found on all land masses of the earth, making it one of the most widespread birds in the world.
The peregrine falcon weighs up to 1.5 kg and has a wingspan of up to 120 cm, with females being on average around 20 % larger than males. Compared to most other falcon species, the peregrine falcon has a rather stocky build and a relatively short tail. The plumage colouring varies greatly depending on the area of origin. The colouring of the upper side of the body ranges from black to grey to dark blue. The underside is usually black and white striped, although the white parts can also take on a light brown colour.
Due to its immense range, the peregrine falcon's choice of habitat is very variable, just like its appearance. It can be found in both very humid and very dry areas, but also inhabits coastal regions and mountains up to an altitude of around 4000 metres. The peregrine falcon has also managed to adapt to areas characterised by humans. The only ecosystems it avoids are tropical rainforests, dry sandy deserts such as the Sahara and the polar regions.
The peregrine falcon feeds mainly on other birds. Pigeons and parrots play a particularly important role in this. In coastal regions, seabirds such as alcids and gulls are the main source of food. However, it also supplements its diet with bats, rodents, lizards, insects and very rarely even fish. Birds catch their prey in mid-air, in a rapid dive. The prey is usually killed at the same moment. When diving, its speed can exceed 320 km/h, making it the fastest animal on earth.
The breeding season of the peregrine falcon also varies greatly depending on the area of origin and can be between February and December. The female does not build a nest but lays her 2-4 eggs either in a hollow on a cliff, a tree hollow or simply on the ground. The young take around 30 days to hatch and up to 42 days to fledge.
Due to its huge range and its ability to adapt to humans, the peregrine falcon is currently not endangered. In addition, many peregrine falcons are still kept in captivity for falconry. However, the population was threatened in the 1960s and 1970s when various chemicals were responsible for very thin eggshells and the death of young falcons. Fortunately, these chemicals have now been banned.