RANGE: Worldwide, mainly in arctic and temperate regions. Eliminated as a breeding bird through much of continental north america since the 1950's, especially in areas east of the Rockies and south of the Canadian arctic, but currently being locally reestablished through reintroductions in various parts of their historic range. In the U.S. migrating birds winter in southern Alaska and the eastern U.S. south through middle america.

HABITAT: Most common habitat characteristic is the presence of tall cliffs, over 165 feet tall. Rarely, man made structures such as skyscrapers serve as substitute nesting sites. Prefer a water source close to nest sites. The peregrine is very tolerant of climatic variance.

SIZE: LENGTH: 14-18 inches
WINGSPAN: 37-46 inches
WEIGHT: 1-2 pounds

REPRODUCTION: Has one of the largest breeding ranges of all species of birds. Prefer open ledges or shelves protected by cliff overhangs, facing north or east, for nesting sites. Lay 3-4 eggs total, with intervals of 2-3 days between each egg laid. Incubation period of 32-34 days beginning with laying of last egg. Incubation duties shared by both parents, but female does most of it. Female does most of brooding. Young fledge at 35-42 days of age.

DIET: Almost exclusively birds, up to size of goose, but mostly pigeon sized species

BEHAVIOR: Peregrines either still hunt (dive after prey from perch) or engage in aerial waiting (circling for position, then diving after prey). Usually monogamous, particularly if they don't migrate. Occasionally bigamous with male having 2 mates, either separate nests or both females at one nest. Courtship flights include high circling, undulation flights and figure 8's by male. Males and females dive toward each other and may talon grasp or "kiss" (kiss is touching of each other's bill in mid-air and may be a ritualized form of courtship feeding).

POINTS OF INTEREST: Dark head appears hooded and has thick, dark mustache mark. Only North American falcon whose wingtips extend to , or almost to, tip of tail on perched birds. Dark brown eyes. Cere, eye rings and legs are yellow or yellow-orange. Have very long toes, useful for seizing prey in mid-air. Can power dive and speeds up to 250 mph and often engage in the direct pursuit of prey. DDT and other persistent pesticides almost caused the extinction of peregrines in the U.S. by the 60's and 70's. These pesticides worked their way up through the food chain and into the prey that the Peregrine eat. This caused malformed young and thinned the egg shells.

STATUS: Still on endangered species list, but numbers are slowly rising through intensive efforts to reintroduce breeding pairs to areas previously inhabited by peregrines. DDT levels are still very high particularly in California, as a result many pairs have yet to hatch and eggs.