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Protected Species
Description: Both sexes of this large falcon look alike with a dark slate-blue back and wings and a dark blue tail that is lightly barred. The top of the head is dark with a dark stripe running down the side of the face. The cere, legs, and feet are bright yellow. The underside of the adult is light with vertical streaks across the breast, belly and legs. The male (the tiercel) is about two-thirds the size of the female (the falcon). Immatures are uniformly brown on the back, top of the head, and wings, with a light underside streaked with brown. Peregrine falcons are widely distributed resulting in many populations and sub-species (22 by one count) each with a slight variation of the above plumage.
Similar and subspecies: The subspecies vary in plumage. Immature males in the tundra have pale crowns, while birds of the northwestern coast of North America are darker than others. The younger birds are darker below, browner, and streaked rather than barred. All Peregrines have large dark eyes. There are many subspecies of Peregrine falcons.
Size and Weight: The Peregrine falcon has a body length of 15 - 20 inches, a 3 1/2 foot wingspan, and weighs 1 1/4 - 2 3/4 pounds.
Diet: 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. Scientists estimate the speed of a diving peregrine to be more than 200 miles per hour.
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