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Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus ORDER: FALCONIFORMES FAMILY: FALCONIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Peregrine Falcon Photo

© Erwin & Peggy Bauer

Powerful and fast-flying, the Peregrine Falcon hunts medium-sized birds, dropping down on them from high above in a spectacular stoop. Virtually exterminated from eastern North America by pesticide poisoning in the middle 20th century, restoration efforts have made it a regular, if still uncommon sight in many large cities.

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Appearance

Hawks
Hawks
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Large falcon, medium-sized hawk.
  • Black mustache mark on face.
  • Long pointed wings.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to adult but back brownish and underparts streaked, not barred.

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Peregrine Falcon Range Map
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Similar Species

  • Gyrfalcon much larger, with broader wings, longer tail (folded wingtips do not reach tail tip), and only an indistinct face stripe.
  • Prairie Falcon paler and more brown, has dark "armpits."
  • American Kestrel much smaller and has a double facial stripe.
  • Merlin smaller and slimmer, and has only a very weak facial stripe.