Peregrine Falcon - Overview

Order: Falconiformes

Family: Falconidae

Species: Falco peregrinus

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Population Trend: stable

Distribution: resident in Britain, mainly in the north & west of England, Scotland & Ireland. Also rest of Europe, Asia, North & South America, Africa & Australasia.

Habitat: moorland with rocky crags, coastal cliffs. During winter, sometimes seen on estuaries.

Description: dark crown, 'moustache' cheek pattern & grey upper parts. White underparts are barred with black. Female more strongly barred and also larger than male.

Size: length: 38 - 48cm. wingspan: 95 - 110cm.
weight: male 600 - 750g,
female 900 - 1300g.

Lifespan: Up to15 years in the wild, but high mortality rates among juveniles (young birds) makes the average lifespan 6 years.  Up to 25 years in captivity.

Food: birds up to the size of a pigeon. Some small mammals.

Territory: The peregrine falcon prefers open country such as moorland, prairie and semi-desert. In Britain it is most common on upland moors in Scotland and the Lake District, and on coastal cliffs. A bird's territory can be up to 200sq km.

The peregrine falcon is the largest British falcon and perhaps the most impressive hunter of them all.