FEATHERY FRIDAY # 43

FEATHERY FRIDAY #43

We’re off to the Big Apple today to meet one fast and freewheeling bird! These city dwellers live all over the world and are amazingly adaptable! Let’s grab a yellow cab and goooooo!

MEET THE PEREGRIN FALCON!

   Range/Habitat: Worldwide/ coasts, cities, mountains, wetlands

   Diet: Carnivore: birds

   Length/Weight: 13 ½-20”/ 1 ¼-3 ¼ lb

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Peregrine Falcons are one of the fastest birds in the world.
• Peregrine Falcons can reach speeds of up 145 mph.
• They have the widest distribution of any diurnal land bird.
• Peregrine Falcons are diurnal (active during the day).
• Female peregrine falcons are larger than males.
• They “dive” while flying to catch their prey.
• Peregrine Falcons often nest in high places, such as skyscrapers, towers and cliffs.

These magnificent birds sure are amazingly fast! Don’t blink because you may miss them. They’re also a great success story! Peregrine falcons were almost wiped out in the Eastern U.S., but with the ban of DDT, they have made a great comeback. We just love that they love to nest on skyscrapers!