Wikibooks: Ecology/Peregrine Falcon

• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctica; peregrine falcon; Tundra
• Online Access: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ecology/Peregrine_Falcon

The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal in the world. It can attain speeds above 200 miles per hour as it dives toward its prey. Being a member of the genus Falco the peregrine falcon exhibits many of the generic characteristics of falcons. It has long slender wings a short tail curved beak and sharp talons. The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird of prey in the world. It can reach the 322 kilometers per hour. The peregrine falcon can reproduce since it is 1 year old. The peregrine falcon can lay three or four eggs and in extreme situations one or five. The eggs are incubated for 29 or 33 days. Peregrine falcons are found perched high in trees and cliff sides in open areas like grasslands tundra and meadows. They have also become accustomed to living in cities atop tall building. [2] Peregrines are one of the most wide spread species of birds in the world. Peregrine falcons are found on every continent except Antarctica. Peregrine falcons primarily prey on small birds and occasionally small mammals lizards and insects. When preying on birds the peregrine falcon attacks and kills its prey in mid flight then brings it to a perch to feed. Smaller prey items such as bats and insects can be eaten in mid flight. The peregrine falcon is one of the most successful birds of prey in the word. =Adaptations= The falcon shares many characteristics with other falcons. Like all falcons they have long tapered wings and a short tail. These physiological adaptations equate to high speed maneuverability while in flight. These characteristics increase the fitness of areal predators. The name falcon is derived from the Latin word falcon meaning hook shaped and refers to the animal’s beak and claws. Falcons typically hunt small birds and they use their beaks and claws to swiftly immobilize and kill their prey while in flight. These combined traits make the peregrine falcon a very successful predator. It is the fastest animal in the world clocked at over 200 miles per hour during a stoop or dive while in pursuit of a prey item. ...