Mission : Endangered Species
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Mission : Endangered Species
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Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
The Peregrine falcon is one of the strongest and quickest birds of
North America. This bird usually hunts from an altitude of over 100 feet, diving down on
its prey at 150 miles per hour, killing it quickly. It uses its talons in flight to injure
its prey so it falls to the ground. Once its prey is on the ground, the falcon swoops down
to eat it.
The North American Peregrine is the largest subspecies of the Peregrine. The female is larger (19 inches) than the male (13 inches). This falcon is found mainly in the northern forests of Alaska and Canada, and the continental United States. They are endangered because of poisoning of the adult birds and eggs by pesticides, and under- controlled hunting.
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