Rogerstown Estuary
Turvey Nature Reserve
Co.Dublin Ireland 04-09-2022
Scientific classification
Domain:Eukaryota
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Falconiformes
Family:Falconidae
Genus:Falco
Species:F. peregrinus
Binomial name
Falco peregrinus
[order] Falconiformes | [family] Falconidae | [latin] Falco peregrinus | [UK] Peregrine Falcon | [FR] Faucon pèlerin | [DE] Wanderfalke-peregrinus | [ES] Halcón Peregrino | [IT] Pellegrino | [NL] Slechtvalk
| [IRE] Fabhcún gorm
spanwidth min.: 46 cm
spanwidth max.: 100 cm
size min.: 38 cm
size max.: 51 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 29 days
incubation max.: 32 days
fledging min.: 35 days
fledging max.: 42 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 2
eggs max.: 5
Status: Widespread resident in Ireland.
Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. No longer a species of European conservation concern after severe historic declines, due to chemicals affecting reproductive success.
Identification: A bird of prey (raptor) with a short hooked bill. A species of falcon with a heavy powerfully built body, medium length tail and wings which are broad close to the body and pointed at the tip. Sexual size difference, the female is larger than the male. Male and female plumages are the same, unlike Merlins, the species most likely to be confused with Peregrine. Adults are bluey grey above, with a barred tail; the underparts are white and finely barred, the check, throat and upper breast are plain white and contrast with a black hood and thick moustachal stripe. Juvenile birds are similar to adults but have brownish upperparts and streaked, not barred, feathers on the body.
Similar Species: Kestrel, Merlin.
Call: Mainly silent away from its breeding site. Main call is a hard persistent cackling.
Diet: Mainly birds, usually taken in the air and sometimes on the ground or on water. Employs spectacular hunting technique where the bird 'stoops' from high above its intended prey, with its wings held close into the body, reaching great speeds. Estimates of speeds vary but it seems likely that birds reach at least 240km/hour, making it the fastest animal on the planet. Kills its prey with force of its impact using its legs at the last moment to inflict the killer blow. Prey includes pigeons, including feral birds, thrushes, waders and wildfowl, gulls and seabirds.
Breeding: Breeds on coastal and inland cliffs. Most birds on the coast breed on the south, west and north coasts, coastal breeding on the east coast is limited by the availability of suitable nesting cliffs. Most inland birds breed on mountain cliffs but will also breed at lower levels. The species is still recovering from a dramatic and well documented decline in the 1950s and 60s due to the effects of pesticide poisoning. The responsible pesticides have been banned and the species has been recovering slowly.
Wintering: Resident in Ireland, but shows some movement away from its breeding areas in the winter. Can be found on the coast, especially on estuaries where they hunt on concentrations on water birds. Some birds move into cites, where feral pigeons provide suitable prey; one was captured on film recently by a road traffic monitor looking down over the Quays in central Dublin. Some birds at this time of the year could have immigrated from Britain or even further afield.
Where to See: Look for them on estuaries in the winter. If a flock of waders or wildfowl suddenly fly up, it maybe that a Peregrine has flushed them. If they are about they will often be perched on fences or other vantage points. Walking suitable cliffs in the breeding season may give dramatic views of Peregrines hunting.
Physical characteristics
Peregrines have a distinctive appearance. The head and neck area are blackish with a dark wedge of coloration extending below the eyes that forms a "helmet" or hooded appearance. The throat, chin, and ear patch are contrasted by white feathers. The upper body ranges from a bluish-black or slate gray to rich brown; the back, the feathers of the bird's shoulders, and the small feathers on top of the wings and over the tail feathers have a faint cross pattern or barring, while the rump and tail feathers are more strongly barred. Wing and tail feathers have broad horizontal bars. Under parts are white to cream colored; males have a few blackish spots on the upper breast becoming horizontal bars on the lower breast and abdomen, extending to the sides, flanks and upper thighs. Females are more heavily spotted on the upper breast and become heavily barred on the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and under the tail feathers. In the adult the iris of the eye is very dark brown, and non-feathered portions of the lower leg and the feet are bright yellow.
Juveniles are more brownish-gray above, with buff feather edges and less white underneath. They also have heavier brown to cinnamon colored markings in a more vertical pattern on the breast and abdomen. The juvenile peregrine's iris is dark brown, and its feet and lower legs are greenish-yellow.
Habitat
Rivaled only by the Osprey, the Peregrine Falcon has one of the most global distributions of any bird of prey. This falcon is found on every continent except Antarctica, and lives in a wide variety of habitats from tropics, deserts, and maritime to the tundra, and from sea level to 4,000 meter. Peregrines are highly migratory in the northern part of their range. Nests typically are situated on ledges of vertical cliffs, often with a sheltering overhang. Ideal locations include undisturbed areas with a wide view, near water, and close to plentiful prey. Substitute man-made sites can include tall buildings, bridges, rock quarries, and raised platforms. Traditionally, peregrines are found in regions of open habitat with tall cliffs that range from tundra, savanna, and forested river valleys, to coastlines and high mountains. The highest and steepest rock face available that provides a clear view of the surrounding area for hunting is preferred. Peregrines are usually associated with a source of water which attracts a prey base of small to medium-sized birds. Falcons roost on small ledges, and rock outcroppings on steep, bare rock walls preferably under an overhang.
Eyries (nests) are usually established on vegetated ledges where eggs are laid in a scraped-out depression in the vegetation, soil, decomposed rock or remains of prey. The tops of tall buildings are well suited to such a nest type. Beyond the formation of a scrape, peregrines do not build nests, and they some times use the nest remnants of other species.
Other details
This cosmopolitan falcon inhabits open regions and forested regions as well, but for breeding it depends largely on the presence of steep cliffs. Its distribution is consequently very irregular. Southern populations are sedentary, but northern birds are migratory and those of the arctic tundra winter in tropical Africa. The populations of the European Union have undergone a dramatic decline between 1950 and 1960 following chronic poisoning with organochlorine pesticides, and the species has disappeared from many regions. During the last 20 years a comeback has been noticed, and the species has been able to colonise some regions again. In the British Isles the population is now locally even more important than before the crash. The total breeding population of the European Union is estimated at 5000 pairs, but in some areas persecution is still a problem
Feeding
Peregrines chiefly hunt birds such as starlings, pigeons, blackbirds, jays, shorebirds, and waterfowl, but will rarely take mammals, reptiles, or insects. Peregrines may use a variety of hunting techniques, but typically prey is captured in the air after fast pursuit or a rapid dive to catch the prey.
Breeding
Most peregrines don't become sexually mature until they are two to three years of age. Pairs are monogamous, staying mated for life. Behavior of pairs during the nonbreeding season is variable and is believed to be at least partially dependent upon prey availability. Some pairs remain together throughout the winter, while others appear to separate.
Established pairs return to the same breeding territory, and often the same cliff or city building, year after year. Male falcons that have not previously bred tend to return to their natal (the area where they were hatched) site in the spring. If a territory cannot be established, the birds disperse to suitable unoccupied habitat. Male peregrines have been observed defending territories of one to two miles around their urban nest sites. Among breeding pairs, it is believed that the male usually returns to the nest site first and begins aerial courtship displays to attract its mate. Early in the breeding season the pair will hunt together and occupy the same cliff or sky scrap er while reestablishing the pair bond. A period of courtship follows, including aerial maneuvers with vocalizations by the male and the pair, feeding of the female by the male, and ledge displays by both male and female.
Eggs are laid in a scrape at the nest site at an interval of two to three days. The average number of eggs laid is four. Incubation is done primarily by the female, although the male may incubate for short periods during the daytime. Hatching occurs after 32 to 34 days. If a nest is destroyed during egg laying or early in incubation, incubation, the female will usually lay a second clutch.
Once the falcons have hatched, the female does most of the brooding of the altricial (helpless and dependent on the parents) young. Observations of city nesters indicate that some males are as active in brooding as their mates. For the first three to four days prey is delivered by the male to the female who then tears the food to small pieces for the chicks. Later, both the male and female hunt, but the female still does most of the feeding. Fledging usually occurs at 35 to 42 days. The average number of young fledged per nest is between 1.3 and 3.05.
Migration
Migratory in north and north-east, grading through strongly dispersive to resident in south and west. F. p. brookei (breeding Mediterranean basin to Caucasus) shows least movement of west Palearctic races, though still local dispersal. F. p. peregrinus (breeding temperate and subarctic Europe) basically non-migratory, though many individuals (especially juveniles) wander extensively in autumn and winter. Such movement most marked in Fenno-Scandian and north Russian population, with northern territories vacated in winter. Autumn movements span August to early November; return to breeding areas March to early May, though immatures may linger in summer away from breeding grounds. F. p. calidus (breeding Arctic from east Finnmark to c. 130°E), in contrast to nominate peregrinus, a total migrant including transequatorial element, thinly distributed in winter over much of sub-Saharan Africa. Leaves tundra territories in September, appearing in winter range in October. Departures from winter quarters begin late March or early April; tundras reoccupied in May. Pale-plumaged F. p. anatum of North America, probably rare vagrant to west Palearctic.