![]() Though the Peregrine Falcon is an elite predator, it does have its own predators, including Gyrfalcons, eagles, Great Horned owls, and other Peregrines. Peregrine Falcon wingspan ranges from 165 cm to 205 cm for adult birds. Peregrine Falcons do have other hunting methods, including level pursuit, picking birds out of large flocks, and occasionally even hunting on the ground. They then catch the bird and bite through the neck to kill it. Stoops begin 300–3,000 feet above their prey and end either by grabbing the prey or by striking it with the feet hard enough to stun or kill it. The American peregrine falcon is found throughout interior Alaska, especially along rivers. When hunting, Peregrines start by watching from a high perch or by flapping slowly or soaring at great height. Yukon-Charley Rivers Tundra peregrines breed at higher latitudes in Alaska and Peale’s falcons occur in southern Alaska. One researcher studied trained Peregrine Falcons while skydiving and described their body position while diving at 150 mph and 200 mph. When stooping, or dropping on prey with their wings closed, it's been calculated that Peregrine Falcons can achieve speeds of 238 mph. Their average cruising flight speed is 24 to 33 mph, increasing to 67 mph when in pursuit of prey. The American peregrine falcon is found throughout interior Alaska, especially along rivers.Peregrine Falcons are very strong fliers and often reported to be the fastest bird in the world. Tundra peregrines breed at higher latitudes in Alaska and Peale’s falcons occur in southern Alaska. Learn more about birds and bird research in Denali Cliffs and bluffs in the lowlands are likely to support more pairs of American peregrine falcons in Denali in the future. Denali scientists continue to survey for peregrine falcons each year during ongoing golden eagle and gyrfalcon studies. Only the American peregrine falcon breeds in Denali, but tundra peregrines probably pass through during migration. It appears that peregrines are moving into some of the lowland areas in Denali as their populations grow in interior Alaska. Like almost all species of falcons, females are larger than males. In 1989 these scientists found another pair breeding on a small bluff on the Toklat River and in 2002 they found two more pairs, all on the Toklat River. Immature birds are often much browner than adults. In 1988, Denali scientists documented the first breeding pair of peregrine falcons in Denali on a granite tor near Chilchukabena Lake. The extensive alpine regions of Denali do not support high densities of prey favored by peregrines and the lowland areas don’t contain many cliffs or rock outcrops for nesting. Peregrines also inhabited Pacific Coast from Mexico north to Alaska and in the Arctic tundra.Īmerican peregrine falcons are not common in Denali. Historically, they were most common in parts of the Appalachian Mountains and nearby valleys from New England south to Georgia, the upper Mississippi River Valley, and the Rocky Mountains. Peregrine falcons live mostly along mountain ranges, river valleys, and coastlines. Scientists estimate the speed of a diving peregrine to be more than 200 miles per hour. Flying high above their intended prey, peregrines will 'stoop' or dive and strike in mid-air, killing the prey with a sharp blow. Peregrine falcons feed primarily on other birds, such as songbirds, shorebirds, ducks, and-in urban areas-starlings and pigeons. Now, it is also a symbol of America's recovering threatened and endangered species. Its name comes from the Latin word peregrinus, meaning "foreigner" or "traveler." This impressive bird has long been noted for its speed, grace, and aerial skills. The peregrine falcon is one of nature's swiftest and most beautiful birds of prey. The American peregrine falcon was removed from the endangered species list in 1999. Reducing DDT in our environment provided peregrine falcons with a chance to recover and the population in Alaska has grown rapidly from 1980 to the present. Populations of this species were driven to the brink of extinction and the peregrine falcon was federally listed as an endangered species in 1973. Many people are aware of the population declines of this species due to problems with egg-shell thinning caused by persistent organic pollutants such as DDT. There are three subspecies of peregrines in North America: the American or continental peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum), the tundra or arctic peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus tundrius), and the Peale’s peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus pealei). The American peregrine falcon is one of the best known raptors in North America.
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