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Peregrine FalconAlternative name: "Black-cheeked Falcon" Size: 35-50 cm; wing span 85-100 cm Weight: 425-750 g (male), 910-1500 g (female) |
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Similar species |
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Taxonomy, classification |
See Peregrine Falcon
at Wikipedia 
.
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Range, habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Peregrine Falcons inhabit the entire Australian continent including Tasmania and other, especially rocky, coastal islands. They tend to stay away from human interference. In times of sufficient rainfall, and thereby sufficient prey, Peregrine Falcons can be found even in the most arid parts of the continent.
Although primarily found in forest landscapes with open rockfaces or cliffs, Peregrine Falcons also hunt in more open country, both in the interior of the continent and on coastal islands.
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Sightings |
There were one or two tentative sightings of Peregrine Falcons at our former place, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, in 2005; then not seen for a long time. Seen hunting pigeons above the paddocks using dead old trees as perches. Then seen in September of 2006 20 km south-west of Narrabri, when photos were taken to confirm the identification.
The next sighting occurred in February 2008, 20 km east of Narrabri, on the western fringes of the Nandewar Range, an area with sandstone escarpments suitable for nesting. Identification of the bird was confirmed by its harsh calls and the way it went into a fast dive. Presumably the same bird returned later in the year and again in 2009, when it was seen twice more in April and May. It always appeared right after sunset. In May 2009 it had a much smaller bird with it, most likely a juvenile. The difference in size makes it very probable that the adult bird was a female. The adult bird was very hard to approach, while the juvenile bird was less suspicious. Two birds fitting the same descriptions were seen in the same spot in April 2011, this time before sunrise.
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Photos |
Two Peregrine Falcons in a dead treetop - the adult, most
likely a female, sits at the very top, the juvenile bird to its
lower right
Immature Peregrine Falcon in a dead treetop, looking at the
nosy photographer under the tree
The same Peregrine Falcon, with its wings partly unfolded
Immature Peregrine Falcon just after takeoff (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
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Food |
| Adults: Birds | Dependents: As adults | Water intake: None |
All raptors are carnivores. Peregrine Falcons prey on smaller birds, up to the size of pigeons or ducks, which they take in flight.
During the first few weeks, raptors feed their chicks with pieces of meat. Later on in their development, the chicks learn to tear apart their parents' prey.
Distant view of a falcon, probably a Peregrine Falcon, devouring its prey
