They capture their primarily avian prey in open country by virtue of superior speed, either in powered flight or in a characteristic dive called a stoop.
Falcons belong to the order Falconiformes and genus Falco consists of 37 species and 17 subspecies. They are placed at the top of the food chain and are also good indicators of habitat quality since these long-lived birds can only survive in habitat offering sufficient food and nesting sites.
Falcons typically seize prey in their strong, taloned feet, but are known to disable or even kill prey with sharp blows from their feet as they stoop on quarry. Prolonged ground fights with struggling prey animals could damage their relatively stiff flight feathers and reduce the future ability to catch prey, so falcons typically sever prey animals’ spinal cords by separating neck vertebrae to quickly end contests.
Falco peregrinus
The peregrine falcon is one of nature’s swiftest and most beautiful birds of prey. Its name comes from the Latin word peregrinus, meaning “foreigner” or “traveler.”
Traditionally, peregrine falcon nest sites were restricted to cliffs and rock outcrops. As people began to inhabit areas occupied by peregrines, the birds took to nesting on buildings and bridges. Today, peregrines continue to nest on these man-made structures.
Peregrine falcons feed primarily on other birds, such as songbirds, shorebirds, ducks, and—in urban areas—starlings and pigeons. Flying high above their intended prey, peregrines will “stoop” or dive and strike in mid-air, killing the prey with a sharp blow.
The peregrine falcon’s primary diet consists of birds mostly captured in flight and its ability to catch birds in mid-air makes it a unique hunter in nature.
With long, pointed wings, a long, tapered tail and flat head, peregrines can attain rapid speeds in powered flight or stoops. Attaining dive speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, the peregrine falcon is the planet's fastest bird.
Falcon: Bird of prey
Traditionally, peregrine falcon nest sites were restricted to cliffs and rock outcrops. As people began to inhabit areas occupied by peregrines, the birds took to nesting on buildings and bridges. Today, peregrines continue to nest on these man-made structures.
Peregrine falcons feed primarily on other birds, such as songbirds, shorebirds, ducks, and—in urban areas—starlings and pigeons. Flying high above their intended prey, peregrines will “stoop” or dive and strike in mid-air, killing the prey with a sharp blow.
The peregrine falcon’s primary diet consists of birds mostly captured in flight and its ability to catch birds in mid-air makes it a unique hunter in nature.
With long, pointed wings, a long, tapered tail and flat head, peregrines can attain rapid speeds in powered flight or stoops. Attaining dive speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, the peregrine falcon is the planet's fastest bird.
Falcon: Bird of prey
