Peregrine Falcon British Birds

British Birds: Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Jake Davies

The Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus, is a crow-sized bird of prey that is the most widespread of all raptors. Found across the globe, though not found on very high mountains, in the extreme polar regions, or most tropical rain forests, the peregrine is also found in urban settings.

In the UK it is the largest of the falcons, and can be seen pretty much across the whole of the UK. Their main breeding areas are the uplands of the north and west as well as rocky coasts and these were historically where they were most densely populated, but their adaptation to urban environments has meant a wider breeding area nowadays. There is thought to be about 30 breeding pairs in London alone as pairs nesting in the spires of both Chichester and Derby cathedrals. The tall spires simulate the falcons' natural cliff-top habitats. Other cathedrals which have had or still have breeding pairs of birds include Ely, Lincoln, Norwich, Salisbury, St Albans (Boudica and Alban) and Worcester.

Adult Peregrine falcons are between 14 and 19 inches long, with a wingspan between 3 and 3 ½ feet. The females are usually larger than the males, but otherwise indistinguishable from each other.

Their main food is other birds, typically pigeons and small ducks, both of which exist in such large numbers because of human intervention. Their prey is usually taken in mid-air. The most fascinating thing about the peregrine falcon is its velocity. During a dive while attacking its prey they can reach speeds over 200 miles (320 km) per hour, making them the fastest animal on the planet. To protect their eyes at such speeds they have extra, transparent, eyelids, which cover the eyes during dives.

They are a popular species for falconry.