DESCRIPTION: A reclusive, crow-sized falcon, having a wingspan of about 3.5 feet. American peregrine falcons are slaty gray above, whitish below, and have a black head with a vertical "bandits mask" pattern over the eyes. They are very adept and exceedingly fast flyers, reaching speeds of more than 200 mph in dives. The dark brown or blue-gray backs of peregrines ditinguish them from the sandy brown prairie falcon. Overall coloring is darker than the Arctic peregrine falcon.

HABITAT: Generally, areas with high, massive cliffs, preferably near water where avian prey densities are high. Preferred hunting areas are cropland, meadows, riverbottoms, marshes, and lakes. Preferred nesting habitats are high cliffs, usually in mountainous areas near water or lakes with elevations of at least 200 feet above sea level.

DISTRIBUTION:

Present: Historic areas throughout its range in eastern and western North America are now beginning to be reoccupied as a result of reintroduction efforts. Nesting birds have been reported from the Trans-Pecos area of Texas. Migrant populations have been reported statewide in Texas, but they have not been known to nest in eastern Texas.

Historic: Breeding range extended from Canada to Alaska south to Baja California, central Mexican highlands, northwestern Mexico, and included the continental U.S. (except the southeastern quarter).

OTHER INFORMATION: The original recovery plan (1977) was revised in 1984. Overgrazing reduces the carrying capacity of prey species. Primary recovery effort involves monitoring nesting activities and contaminant levels. The greatest number of breeding pairs are in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. The average number of young in Big Bend National Park was 1.25 young/next in 1991.

REFERENCES:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. August 1992. Threatened and Endangered Species of Texas. Endangered Species Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico