Idaho State Raptor – Peregrine Falcon

The Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus

Adopted 2004
Federal Status and State Status: the American Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) is endangered

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/ / CC BY 2.0

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) was adopted as the state raptor for Idaho by the legislature in 2004. The scienti?c name comes from the Latin words falco, meaning hook-shaped (falcate) and may refer to the beak or claws, and peregrinus, meaning to wander. Peregrines have also been called Duck Hawk, Great-footed Hawk, and Wandering Falcon. 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.

The Peregrine Falcon has one of the most global distributions of any bird of prey. This falcon is found on every continent except Antarctica, and lives in a wide variety of habitats from tropics, deserts, and maritime to the tundra, and from sea level to 12,000 feet. Peregrines are highly migratory in the northern part of their range. Boise is home to the World Center for Birds of Prey, The Peregrine Fund’s world headquarters. Visit them on the web at www.peregrinefund.org/world.html or visit in person at the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center.

Source: Idaho Profile, Idaho Blue Book

 

 

History of the Peregrine Falcon

The use of falcons for hunting was developed around 2,000 B.C. in central Asia. By the twelfth century A.D., falconry was widely practiced throughout Europe. Once reserved only for nobility, the falcon’s intelligence, strength, and amazing aerial performance made it a highly prized hunting bird.

Life History

With a flight speed in excess of 60 mph, Peregrines can hunt large areas with little effort. Preferred hunting habitats such as meadows, river bottoms, croplands, marshes, and lakes attract abundant bird life. Peregrines capture a wide variety of birds, including blackbirds, jays, swifts, doves, shorebirds, and songbirds. Falcons usually strike their prey from above at great speed. The prey is either struck to the ground or killed instantly by the blow from the falcon’s talons. Prey species try to evade the falcon’s attack by quick aerobatic maneuvers or by diving to cover. If the prey manages to stay above the falcon or reaches cover, it will usually escape. Peregrines are excellent flyers, and rely on maneuverability and surprise as well as speed to capture prey.

The courtship flights of Peregrines are spectacular aerial displays of rapid climbing, spirals, and steep precision dives where the birds sometimes touch in mid-air. On the cliff, courtship behavior includes touching beaks, nibbling at the beak or feet of the mate, and mutual preening. During courtship, the male offers food to the female, both at the cliff and when the pair is in flight. When the female is receptive, she will accept the prey and mating soon follows.

In the United States and much of Canada, a clutch of three or four eggs is laid in April. In Arctic latitudes, Peregrines lay eggs from late May through late June. The female does most of the incubating and all of the brooding, while the male does most of the hunting. Incubation lasts about 33 days. The young remain in the nest for five to six weeks, being fed and cared for by the adults. After they leave the nest, the adults continue to feed and defend their young for several weeks.

Scientists estimate that about 20-25% of adult Peregrines and 55-60% of juveniles die each year of natural causes. The average life expectancy for those young that fledge is probably about 4 years, although maximum life spans of 13 and 17 years have been recorded. In captivity, Peregrines have reached 20 years of age. Peregrines do not normally breed until at least 2 years of age.

The above article was a partially excerpted section from: Peregrine Falcon (PDF) Download the report to read more. – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Endangered Resources Branch

Relevant terms

American peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus, History of the Peregrine Falcon, Idaho state raptor, peregrine falcon, peregrine falcon courtship, ID state raptor, state raptor of Idaho

 

 

One Response to “Idaho State Raptor – Peregrine Falcon”

1. Michael "Mike" L. Baird says:

   May 13, 2010 at 9:38 pm

   Cynthia, Thanks for the Creative commons use and use note! re: classbrain1 wrote
   

   THis is a beautiful image of the Peregrine
   Falcon. We’ve used it to illustrate our
   article on the Idaho state raptor: the
   peregrine falcon. Thank you so much for
   making available through the Creative
   Commons. You can see the article at
   ClassBrain’s state reports:
   http://www.statereports.us/2010/05/idaho-state-rapto
   r-peregrine-… Thanks again!
   Cynthia
   ClassBrain