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Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre |
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Peregrine Falcon(Falco Peregrinus)
For more information about birds and wildlife in England, please visit |
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| Origin: | North America and Southern Europe. | |||||
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| Habitat: | Large open moorland areas. | |||||
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| Nesting: | An unlined hollow on rocky cliffs and ledges. Usually 3-4 eggs are laid from mid-April. | |||||
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| Facts:
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The Peregrine falcon has long pointed wings and a long tail. The male has
a slate-grey back and barred chest and belly. The female is larger and browner. Males weigh 180 gms (113-230) and females 223 gms (170-271). It is a very fast and manouverable bird getting to speeds of up to 60mph when in a downward stoop - closing its wings, it drops from the sky attacking its quarry with its feet. The falcon will then circle around and catch the falling bird. The Peregrine only attacks aerial game such as grouse, pigeons and other aerial birds. During the second World War, large numbers of these birds were shot because it was thought they were a threat to carrier pigeons. Their numbers recovered during the 1950's, but in the 60's they were almost wiped out by the use of pesticides. Now, in the 1990's the Peregrine has started to thrive again. |
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| Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre, Leaplish Waterside Park, Northumberland, England. Telephone: +44 (0)1434-250400 Web Site designed and created by Discover IT (UK) Ltd |
