Fastest
on Earth...
PEREGRINE FALCON Falco
Peregrinus
Fastest Creature on Earth
The relationship between Peregrine
Falcons and humans goes back thousands of years. Once highly prolific
and widespread throughout the world, Peregrine Falcons were commonly
used throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East in the practice
of Falconry. Peregrines are naturally docile and easily
lent themselves to taming by humans who saw the Falcon's hunting
prowess as an asset in hunting for food. The Peregrine’s
magnificent speed and power also made it the favorite bird for
falconers in the Middle Ages. The female, which is slightly larger
and more powerful than the male, was preferred, and only she is
given the title of “falcon.” A male Peregrine is referred
to as a “tiercel” meaning third. Although falconry
has fallen out of favor, there are still those who practice it
today.
Masters of the Hunt
Peregrine Falcons are raptors
- which means they are birds which hunt and kill for food. They
are very well adapted to the hunt, with strong, sharp, curved beaks
for tearing flesh, large, keen eyes for viewing prey at great distances,
and sharp, powerful claws (called talons) for clutching, and grasping
their quarry.
Other birds, such as pigeons,
blackbirds, ducks, and pheasants, are the falcons's usual prey.
Peregrines' incredible speed is the primary weapon used to kill
their prey during the hunt. When they get ready to strike, they
close their talons and strike the bird in a plunging dive, usually
knocking the bird unconscious with a single blow. The force of the
initial strike is so severe that the bird is usually killed on impact.
As the victim falls through the air the falcon circles back and
picks its prey out of the air with its claws. If the bird survives
the initial blow, the Peregrine will break its neck with a quick
strike of its powerful beak to the bird’s spine.
Fascinating Facts
The Peregrine Falcon is easily
recognizable as distinct from other raptors. It has black feathers
on its head, sort of in the pattern of a helmet, with dark feathers
around its beak that look kind of like a dark mustache (remember
"mutton chops" in the 1970s?) You could say it looks like a "biker"
hawk. The feathers on its back are dark, with a bluish cast. The
tips of the falcon's wings are very sharply "pointed", making a
striking and unique silhouette during flight.
The peregrine is the fastest bird
on record reaching horizontal cruising speeds of 65-90 kmh ( 40-55
mph) and not exceeding speeds of 105-110 kmh (65-68 mph). When stooping,
the peregrine flies at much greater speeds however, varying from
160-440 kmh (99-273 mph)!
Pairs of Peregrines mate
for life, usually setting up housekeeping high in the cliffs. Since
we're running out of cliffs in Europe and the U.S. Peregrines have
taken to building their nests up on top of high rise buildings in
large cities. Peregrine nests are called scrapes, or eyries
and baby falcons are called eyasses. Although they have a
high mortality rate, Peregrines have been known to live as long
as 15 years.
If you don't believe the stories
about the incredible speed of the Peregrine Falcon, then watch this
video demonstration of a falcon being clocked at diving speeds of
over 200mph!
Location: Peregrines are
found on every continent except Antarctica. These guys are real
world travelers!
Facts: Peregrine falcons
are not only the fastest creatures in the air, they're the fastest
creatures in the world. They can fly horizontally at speeds up
to 55 mph, but they BLOW AWAY the competition when flying in a
downward dive to strike their prey - over 270 mph!
The Scientists Who Study this Cool
Stuff?
Biologists,Wildlife Biologists, Ornithologists, Raptologists and
Zoologists.
