Peregrine falcons are common on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. It is the size of a black crow, but there are also quite large individuals. Let us further consider what this feathered representative of the fauna is known for.
Peregrine Falcon: Description
It is distinguished by an aspid-gray dark plumage on the back, a bright motley belly. The upper part of the head is black. In total, there are 17 subspecies of the bird. They vary in color and size. The speed of the peregrine falcon at the peak is more than 322 km / h. However, in horizontal movement, he gives way to a swift. Many believe that this is an eagle. Peregrine Falcon belongs to another family. At 2 years of age, puberty begins. Created pairs persist throughout life. The peregrine falconer nests on tops of ridges, rocky cliffs, in rare cases - on stone structures (ledges and roofs of high-rise buildings, bridges, bell towers and so on) and bumps on mossy swamps.
Hunting
A peregrine falcon is an animal that, in search of a victim, plans in the sky or sits on a broom. When it discovers a victim, it rises above it and swoops down. The flight of the peregrine falcon is so rapid that the prey does not have time to hide. When he catches up with the victim, strikes it tangentially with clasped paws pressed to the body. The peregrine falcon bird strikes its prey with its claws so hard that even large game can have its head torn off. The predator hunts, as a rule, for starlings, ducks, pigeons. Its victims are mainly birds of medium size aquatic or near-water species. Rarely, small mammals are its prey.
Population
Peregrine falcon bird is today considered a rare species. After the Second World War ended, its already small population began to decline sharply. This was largely due to the economic use of DDT and other pesticides, which negatively affected embryonic development. In particular, from 1940 to the mid-1960s, the population in the eastern part of the USA completely disappeared, and in the west it decreased by 80-90%. The same situation was noted in Western European territory. On a considerable area, they generally ceased to settle. By the 1970s, due to the fact that the use of pesticides was prohibited, as well as through the introduction of environmental programs, the number of birds began to gradually recover. This species is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation as a small one and is included in the second category. The CITES Convention Annex prohibits the sale of these birds worldwide.
External features
Peregrine falcon is considered large. His body is 34-50 cm long. Its wingspan reaches 80-120 cm. Females are outwardly larger than males. They weigh approximately 910-1500 grams. Males are about a third of them less. Their weight is 440-750 grams. Sexual dimorphism is not expressed in color. An exception is F. p. madens (rare subspecies) in which females and males look the same. In general, the physique of birds is strong enough, which is typical for active predators. They have a wide chest with convex and hard muscles, strong fingers, whose nails are steeply bent. The beak is short, crescent-shaped. In adults, on the upper body there are fuzzy transverse dark stripes. The ends of the wings of the peregrine falcon are black. The abdomen is usually light. Depending on the range, it can be pinkish, grayish-white, ocher or reddish with black and thin brown transverse streaks. They are also present on the undertail and sides. The streaks that are on the chest are in the form of drops. The tail is narrow and long; it has a rounding at the end. The head at the top and the feathers between the angle of the beak and the throat are black. And the lower part and the throat itself are light - reddish or white. Peregrine Falcon eyes are bulging and large, dark brown. A ring of bare skin surrounds them. The legs and beak are black, the wax is yellow. At the end of the beak are the teeth. They peregrine falcon snacks neck prey. The inner toe is shorter than the outer toe, and the middle toe is longer than the pin. Young individuals differ in less contrast plumage. The upper part of their body is brown with ocher rims covering, and the upper one is lighter. Waxwort has a bluish-gray hue. The legs of the birds are yellow.
Vote
The peregrine falcon's cry is diverse. To attract attention and to communicate, he makes jerky sounds "keeek-keeek-keeek" or "kyak-kyak-kyak." With anxiety, vocalization is coarse and quick. He makes the sounds of "kra-kra-kra". In the mating season, the female and the male can communicate with loud two-syllable shouts of "II-chip." The rest of the time they are usually silent.
Area
Peregrine Falcon, as a rule, tries to choose places inaccessible to people. He prefers to stay on the rocky shores of various bodies of water (external and internal). The largest number of birds is recorded in the mountains, in river valleys. In these places, the conditions for nesting are the most optimal. In the mountains, the peregrine falcon usually settles on the rocks. In the forest area, it can be found along river cliffs, in large mossy swamps or on the tops of trees, where it occupies the old nests of other birds. No matter what territory the peregrine falcon chooses, there is always a wetland nearby. Its area is not less than 10 square meters. m. Peregrine Falcon tries not to nest in areas of dark continuous forest, as well as in large treeless spaces. Sometimes (rarely in recent years) he chooses settlements, including large ones, as his habitat. For example, it was established that the peregrine falcon settled in Losiny Island in Moscow every year from 1927 to 1941, and then in 1963. Within the city, he arranges nests on the roofs of high-rise buildings, churches and other structures. In 2008, it was found that the only pair of birds nests in the main building of Moscow State University.
Lifestyle
He is mostly settled. Sometimes in cold weather they move a short distance. Mature males, as far as possible, try to stay closer to the nesting territory throughout the year. In the subarctic and arctic climate, peregrine falcons make seasonal migrations over long distances. According to observations by ornithologists, individuals nesting in Greenland in winter can reach the southern territories of the South American continent. In Russia, the peregrine falcon does not nest only in the steppe territories of Western Siberia and the Volga region. It can be found there during seasonal migration.
Power Features
Peregrine Falcon eats only small and medium birds: sparrows, ducks, starlings, blackbirds and others. In general, he is not characterized by attachment to certain species. Its diet varies depending on the accessibility that is characteristic of a particular territory. In addition to birds, small mammals, for example, hares and squirrels, bats, sometimes become its prey. It also feeds on insects and amphibians. The tundra (Siberian) peregrine falcon regularly preys on field voles, ground squirrels, and lemmings. In some cases, they make up one third of his diet. The most active peregrine falcon is observed in the mornings and evenings. Prey predominantly seizes during movement. In this case, birds often hunt in pairs, going down to the victim in turn.
Attack specifics
Having noticed the prey, the peregrine Falcon takes off very quickly and high. Then it folds its wings and descends sharply downward almost at a right angle. He seeks to hurt the victim with his paws in passing. The head may fly off from the blow or the stomach of the prey may flutter. If he is not strong enough, the peregrine falcon finishes the victim, gnawing his neck. With prey, he rises to an elevation, where he eats it. Unlike other predators, the peregrine falcon leaves the whole head, as well as the wings and, in some cases, the legs of the victim.
Conclusion
As mentioned above, the peregrine falcon has always been considered a rare bird, despite the fact that it adapts well enough to different climatic and landscape conditions. At present, its population remains generally stable. In some regions, however, there are slight fluctuations in numbers or a complete extinction of the species from its range. The danger for the development of peregrine falcon and maintaining a stable population, in addition to chemicals, is the rivalry with the Saker Falcon. In addition, negative factors are considered to be: lack of nesting areas, poaching, cultural landscape changes. Wild predators that destroy nests can also cause some concern. They primarily include martens, foxes, owls. Peregrine Falcons feel good in areas located near human habitation. However, they can be uncomfortable with excessive human attention.