The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is working to protect critical peregrine falcon habitats, such as the escarpments at the Alfred-Kelly Nature Reserve in Quebec, to ensure the birds are undisturbed by the many hikers who enjoy the reserve. What is NCC doing to protect the peregrine falcon's habitat? The Canadian peregrine population is showing an increasing trend and currently estimated at more than 5,000 individuals. Other threats include habitat degradation and fragmentation, human interference and poaching. The continued use of pesticides in the subspecies’ wintering grounds, as well as yet unknown effects of new pesticides licensed in Canada, are of concern. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has assessed the pealei subspecies found on the Pacific coast as special concern, with the anatum/tundrius subspecies is assessed as not at risk. A decisive move to ban DDT in the early 1970s in Canada and the U.S., along with efforts such as captive breeding and release programs, were the first steps in the species’ recovery. Peregrine falcon populations were decimated. Peregrine falcons, along with many birds of prey, fell victim to the toxic effects of DDT between 19 when the chemical was widely used. What is the peregrine falcon's conservation status? Some nests can be found more than 3,600 metres high.ĭuring migration, these raptors can be found at barrier islands, mudflats, coastlines, lake edges and mountains. Due to the similarity of the stark concrete of buildings to cliffs in the wild, peregrines can be found living on skyscraper ledges, quarries, transmission towers and even silos. They are usually found in open habitats with tall structures. Birds banded in the Northwest Territories have been recorded in Argentina! The tundrius subspecies are highly migratory birds in the High Arctic, while the anatum subspecies nests south of the treeline. Peregrines in those areas are residents or slight migrants. The pealei subspecies can be found in British Columbia and parts of Alaska. Three of the 22 subspecies worldwide are found in North America. The name peregrine is derived from the Latin adjective peregrinus, meaning “wanderer.” The peregrine falcon is a wide-ranging species found on all continents except for Antarctica. They can get up to more than 320 kilometres per hour when stooping. The peregrine falcon can cruise between 40 to 55 kilometres per hour and can top speeds at 112 kilometres per hour during pursuit of prey. Known for their speed, the species’ compact plumage, long, pointed wings and long tail give them a streamlined build. Peregrines are distinguishable from other raptors by their blue-gray back with barred underparts and slate-coloured face markings, including “sideburns.” Adult males measure 36 to 49 centimetres long, weighing 650 grams, while females are generally larger measuring 45 to 58 centimetres in body length and and 950 grams in weight. What does the peregrine falcon look like? A favourite of nomadic falconers in central Asia, the peregrine has extremely acute eyesight in low light, making it an effective game hunter even at dawn and dusk. Interactions between humans and peregrine falcons go back thousands of years. If you’re lucky, you may even witness one of these masters of stealth perform an aerial hunting dive - the stoop. You might be looking at a peregrine falcon. Though the Peregrine Falcon is an elite predator, it does have its own predators, including Gyrfalcons, eagles, Great Horned owls, and other Peregrines.Gaze skyward on a clear day and you might notice a crow-sized, hawk-like silhouette on the edge of a high-rise or cliff. Peregrine Falcons do have other hunting methods, including level pursuit, picking birds out of large flocks, and occasionally even hunting on the ground. They then catch the bird and bite through the neck to kill it. Stoops begin 300–3,000 feet above their prey and end either by grabbing the prey or by striking it with the feet hard enough to stun or kill it. When hunting, Peregrines start by watching from a high perch or by flapping slowly or soaring at great height. One researcher studied trained Peregrine Falcons while skydiving and described their body position while diving at 150 mph and 200 mph. When stooping, or dropping on prey with their wings closed, it's been calculated that Peregrine Falcons can achieve speeds of 238 mph. Their average cruising flight speed is 24 to 33 mph, increasing to 67 mph when in pursuit of prey. Peregrine Falcons are very strong fliers and often reported to be the fastest bird in the world.
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