Peregrine Falcon by Patrick Leahy https://padlet.com/patrickleahy94/obycw5wrdro5fw0q The fastest animal in the world en-us 2021-07-13 20:24:42 UTC 2025-12-14 06:08:50 UTC hello@padlet.com Peregrine Falcon patrickleahy94 https://padlet.com/patrickleahy94/obycw5wrdro5fw0q/wish/1657742750 Latin name Falco peregrinus is a name originally meaning "one from abroad", that is, a wanderer, traveler, or pilgrim
Facts
  • Scientists estimate the speed of a diving peregrine to be more than 200 miles per hour,  making it the fastest animal in the world.
  • Their nostrils guide shock waves of air to stop the high pressure damaging their lungs while they dive. A natural design so fascinating, it inspired the design of the first jet engines!
  • They have excellent binocular vision, eight times better than that of a human. They can see prey from more than 1.8 miles away. 
  • They have a third eyelid, which spreads tears and clears debris away to protect their eyes without obstructing their vision during a stoop. 
  • Peregrines can see most clearly with their head turned at an angle, which is why peregrine falcons usually fly towards their prey in a curve – this also helps them fly faster, as it reduces drag.
DIstribution
  • The peregrine falcon is global in distribution. 
  • In Minnesota, can be found around the state but they predominately nest in the Lake Superior region and along the bluffs of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers. 
Interactions with other organisms
  • Humans - During the Second World War, thousands of peregrine falcons were also killed to protect the messenger pigeons carrying important military messages. They also are captured and used in falconry.
  • Predators- Gyrfalcons, great horned owls and eagles. But the juveniles and hatchlings of peregrine falcons are at the mercy of much larger and great number of predators like other peregrines.
Preferred Habitat
  • General ecosystem types in which peregrine falcon occurs include arctic tundra, tropical ecosystems, deserts, wetlands, grasslands, mountainous regions, continental forests, maritime islands, and even urban areas
  • During the breeding season, they make their nests on crags and rock faces including cliffs, quarries and, increasingly, buildings in urban areas.
Diet
 Ducks, doves, pigeons, and song birds, small mammals and occasionally carrion.

Resources
Peregrine Falcon (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Peregrine Falcon Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
https://birdfeederhub.com/peregrine-falcon-facts/
Peregrine falcon project | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us)
Peregrine Falcon | Audubon Field Guide
]]> 2021-07-22 01:57:48 UTC https://padlet.com/patrickleahy94/obycw5wrdro5fw0q/wish/1657742750 The Swoop or Stoop patrickleahy94 https://padlet.com/patrickleahy94/obycw5wrdro5fw0q/wish/1659682434
  • Once a peregrine targets its prey, it will stoop (or swoop) at speeds reaching 200 mph. Often, the peregrine strikes the flying prey from above, angling itself to dive from the direction of the sun. This increases the falcon's ability to see the prey, and the prey will be blinded by the sun. The first blow will send the prey to the ground, where the peregrine will confirm the kill with a bite to the neck. Upon occasion, peregrines have been seen stooping prey and circling back to catch the prey before it even hits the ground,. While peregrines stoop at 200 mph, they can maintain a speed of 60 mph during level flight.
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