Peregrine falcon : North Carolina wildlife profiles

Peregrine Falcon North Carolina Wildlife Profiles Peregrine Falcon Jennifer Rowe (Falco peregrinus) As a member of the falcon family, the peregrine has tapered wings that make it a fast and agile flyer. Peregrines can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour in a dive or “stoop.” Its acute eyesight and amazing flying abilities make it highly adapted to hunting other birds, such as blue jays, pigeons, and waterfowl. It typically strikes its prey in flight. Description The peregrine falcon is a crow-sized raptor with distinctive plumage. The head is covered with black feathers that extend down along the side of the head, creating a hooded appearance. The wings and back are a slate gray color. The throat, chest and bel ly are white with horizontal bars of black or dark brown. The central part of the breast lacks the barring. Juvenile birds visibly differ from the adults. Their feet or talons are a dull blue, as opposed to a bright yellow in adult birds, and they have slightly different plumage. J uveniles have brown wings and back, with heavy streaking on the chest and underparts. Female peregrine falcons are slightly larger than males. History and Status Because of their territoriality, nest-site requirements and dependence on other birds as prey, peregrine falcons need large areas in which to live and reproduce. Therefore, they do not occur in large numbers anywhere in their range. Historically, peregrine- falcons bred in North Carolina until 1957, but they disappeared from the state and from much of their range because of the use of organochlorine pesticides such as DDT. This chemical accumulated in the food chain of falcons and other birds, resulting in thin eggshells that cracked when the parents attempted to brood their eggs. Peregrine falcon population numbers fell so low that they were extirpated from much of their range, requiring the reintroduction of captive rearing birds in the Eastern United States. The peregrine falcon was designated as an endangered species in 1973, immediately follow¬ ing the passage of the Endangered Species Act but was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species in 1999 due to recovery of their populations. Howev¬ er, in North Carolina, the peregrine falcon is state-listed as an endangered species and identified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the N.C. Wildlife Action Plan. Habitats £r Habits Peregrine falcons nest in tall mountain cliffs with an unobstructed view of the sur¬ rounding area. These cliffs must have ledges or small caves that provide a nest site that is inaccessible to predators and sheltered from wind, rain and excessive temperatures. Normally these cliffs are situated along ridges, bluffs or in gorges with a body of water nearby. Peregrine falcons also will nest on ledges on tall buildings in cities. Peregrine falcons do not actually build a nest. They make a depression or “scrape" in loose gravel, soil, pieces of bark or leaf matter. During mating season, the young male falcons attempt to attract a mate by displaying a series of acrobatics and somersaults in the air. Once the female has chosen her mate, they will remain a pair for life. Peregrine falcons usually return to the same cliff or area and produce an average of three or four eggs every year. Peregrine falcons are fast and agile flyers, hunting other birds in midair. Adult peregrine falcon (Photo: Teddy Llo vet, Flickr) Chris Kelly, a Wildlife Commission biologist, conducts a survey of peregrine falcons in the mountains. (Photo by: Reese Mitchell) Range and Distribution Peregrine falcons are found nearly world¬ wide. In North Carolina, peregrine falcons are found across the state with most nest¬ ing pairs in the mountains and along the coast. In the mountains of the state, the peregrine falcon is a permanent resident, found year-round. Along the coast and in the Piedmont, the raptor is seen mainly during the fall and winter during migration. Range Map