The peregrine falcon is distributed on all continents except Antarctica. It is about the size of a gray crow, but there are also quite large individuals. Consider further what this feathered representative of the fauna is known for.
Peregrine Falcon: Description
It is distinguished by slate-gray dark plumage on the back, light motley belly. The top of the head is black. In total there are 17 subspecies of the bird. They vary in color and size. The speed of the peregrine falcon at its peak is over 322 km/h. However, in horizontal movement, it is inferior to the swift. Many people think it's an eagle. The peregrine falcon belongs to a different family. At 2 years, puberty occurs. Created couples persist throughout life. The peregrine falcon nests on the tops of ridges, rocky cliffs, in rare cases - on stone structures (ledges and roofs of high-rise buildings, bridges, bell towers, and so on) and bumps in moss swamps.
Hunting
Peregrine falcon is an animal that glides in the sky in search of prey or sits on a perch. When it detects a prey, it rises above it and swoops down. Flightthe peregrine falcon is so swift that the prey does not have time to escape. When he overtakes the victim, he hits it on a tangent with folded paws pressed to the body. The peregrine falcon strikes its prey with its claws so hard that even large game can lose its head. The predator hunts, as a rule, on starlings, ducks, pigeons. Its victims are mainly medium-sized birds of aquatic or semi-aquatic species. Rarely, small mammals are its prey.
Population
The peregrine falcon is considered a rare species today. After World War II ended, its already small population began to decline sharply. This was largely due to the economic use of DDT and other pesticides, which adversely affected embryonic development. In particular, from 1940 to the mid-1960s, the population completely disappeared in the eastern part of the United States, and in the west it decreased by 80-90%. The same situation was noted in Western Europe. In a large area of the area, they generally ceased to settle. By the 1970s, thanks to the fact that the use of pesticides was prohibited, as well as through the introduction of environmental programs, the number of birds began to gradually recover. This species is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation as a small one and is included in the second category. The CITES Annex prohibits the sale of these birds worldwide.
External Features
The peregrine falcon is considered large. Its body is 34-50 cm long. Its wingspan reaches 80-120 cm. Females are outwardly larger than males. They weigh approximately 910-1500 grams. Males are about a third smaller. Their weight is 440-750 grams. Sexual dimorphism is not expressed in color. The exception is F. p. madens (a rare subspecies) in which females and males look the same. In general, the physique of birds is quite strong, which is typical for active predators. They have a broad chest with bulging and hard muscles, strong fingers, the nails of which are sharply bent. The beak is short, crescent-shaped. In adults, fuzzy transverse dark stripes are present on the upper body. The tips of the peregrine falcon's wings are black. The abdomen is usually light. Depending on the area, it can be pinkish, grayish-white, ocher or reddish with black and thin brown transverse streaks. They are also present on the undertail and flanks. The streaks that are on the chest are in the form of drops. The tail is narrow and long, at the end it has a rounding. The head in the upper part and the area of feathers between the corner of the beak and the throat are black. And the lower part and the throat itself are light - reddish or white. The peregrine falcon's eyes are bulging and large, dark brown. They are surrounded by a ring of bare skin. The legs and beak are black, the cere is yellow. At the end of the mandible are teeth. With them, the peregrine falcon bites the neck of prey. The inner toe is shorter than the outer toe, and the middle toe is longer than the tarsus. Juveniles are distinguished by less contrasting plumage. The upper part of their body is brown with buffy edges of coverts, and the upper part is lighter. The wax has a bluish-gray tint. The legs of the birds are yellow.
Voice
The cry of the peregrine falcon is varied. To attract attention and for communication, he makes jerky sounds "keek-keek-keek" or "kyak-kyak-kyak". With anxiety, vocalization is rough and fast. He makes sounds "kra-kra-kra". During the mating season, the female and male can communicate with loud two-syllable cries "ii-chip". The rest of the time they are usually silent.
Area
Sapsan, as a rule, tries to choose places that are inaccessible to people. He prefers to stay on the rocky shores of different water bodies (external and internal). The largest number of birds is observed in the mountains, in river valleys. In these places, the conditions for nesting are the most optimal. In the mountains, the peregrine falcon usually settles on the rocks. In the woodland zone, it can be found along river cliffs, in large moss swamps, or on treetops, where it occupies old nests of other birds. No matter what territory the peregrine falcon chooses, there is always a wetland nearby. Its area is not less than 10 sq. m. Peregrine Falcon tries not to nest in areas of dark solid forest, as well as in large treeless spaces. Sometimes (rarely in recent years) he chooses settlements, including large ones, as his habitat. For example, it has been established that peregrine falcon settled in Losiny Island in Moscow every year from 1927 to 1941, and then in 1963. Within the city, he arranges nests on the roofs of high-rise buildings, churches and other structures. As of 2008, it was found that the only pair of birdsnests in the main building of Moscow State University.
Lifestyle
He is predominantly settled. Sometimes in cold weather they move a short distance. Males that have reached maturity, as far as possible, try to stay closer to the nesting territory throughout the year. In the subarctic and arctic climate, the peregrine falcon makes seasonal migrations over considerable distances. According to observations of ornithologists, individuals nesting in Greenland can reach the southern territories of the South American continent in winter. In Russia, the peregrine falcon does not nest only in the steppe territories of Western Siberia and the Volga region. It can be found there during seasonal migration.
Features of food
Peregrine Falcon eats only small and medium-sized birds: sparrows, ducks, starlings, thrushes and others. In general, he is not characterized by attachment to certain species. Its diet varies depending on the accessibility that is characteristic of a particular territory. In addition to birds, small mammals, such as hares and squirrels, and bats, sometimes become its prey. It also feeds on insects and amphibians. The tundra (Siberian) peregrine falcon regularly preys on voles, ground squirrels, and lemmings. In some cases, they make up to a third of his diet. The greatest activity of the peregrine falcon is observed in the mornings and evenings. The prey is mainly captured while moving. At the same time, birds often hunt in pairs, going down to the victim in turn.
Specificityattacks
Noticing the prey, the peregrine falcon takes off very quickly and high. Then it folds its wings and descends sharply down almost at a right angle. He tends to touch the victim casually with his paws. The blow can fly off the head or open the belly of the prey. If he is not strong enough, then the peregrine falcon finishes the victim by gnawing the neck. With prey, he rises to the dais, where he eats it. Unlike other predators, the peregrine falcon leaves its head intact, as well as the wings and, in some cases, the legs of the victim.
Conclusion
As mentioned above, the peregrine falcon has always been considered a rare bird, despite the fact that it adapts quite well to different climatic and landscape conditions. At present, its population remains generally stable. In some regions, however, small fluctuations in abundance or complete disappearance of the species from the range are noted. The danger to the development of the peregrine falcon and maintaining the population at a stable level, in addition to chemicals, is the rivalry with the saker falcon. In addition, the following are considered negative factors: lack of territories suitable for nesting, poaching, cultural landscape changes. Some disturbance may also be caused by wild predators that destroy nests. These primarily include martens, foxes, eagle owls. Peregrine falcons feel good in areas located near human habitation. However, they may feel uncomfortable from excessive human attention.
