Peregrine Falcons Flashcards
How fast can a peregrine fly?
Average speed 25-34 mph (40-55 km/h) in traveling flight
In hot pursuit 69 mph (112 km/h)
Over 240 mph in gravity assisted stoop
Nickname for Peregrine Falcon
Duck hawk
What do Peregrines eat?
Peregrines eat a diet almost exclusively of medium-sized birds, but will sometimes hunt small mammals, small reptiles, or even insects.
Taxonomy of Peregrines
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
Species: F. peregrinus
How big do Peregrines get?
Body length: 13 to 23 in (34–58 cm)
wingspan: 29 to 47 in
(74–120 cm)
Weight:
Males: 12–35 oz (330 to 1,000 g)
Females: 25–53 oz (700 to 1,500 g)
Wing chord measures 10.4 to 15.4 in (26.5 to 39 cm)
Tail measures 5.1 to 7.5 in
(13 to 19 cm)
Tarsus measures 1.8 two 2.2 in (4.5 to 5.6 cm).
At what age are peregrines considered sexually mature?
1 year
How long do Peregrines live?
Average lifespan in the wild 13 years.
Maximum longevity in the wild 16 to 20 years old.
The longest known lifespan for a captive peregrine falcon is 25 years.
Do peregrines mate for life?
Yes
How many eggs do they lay?
3-5 eggs
Where do peregrines nest?
They do not build nests, but may make a scrape or shallow depression on a cliff or high rise building.
How long do Peregrines incubate eggs?
To predict a hatch date window, count 33–35 days from when the second to last egg was laid.
What age do Peregrines fledge?
between 40 and 44 days
What age do falcons leave their parents?
Adolescent birds begin to hunt for food and care for themselves at 12 to 15 weeks.
At what age are peregrines adults?
A peregrine is considered to be an adult at three years of age, when they get their adult plumage.
What is the scientific name for a Peregrine Falcon?
Falco peregrinus
