![]() They are only about 0.6–0.8% genetically differentiated. The two species' divergence is relatively recent, during the time of the last ice age, therefore the genetic differential between them (and also the difference in their appearance) is relatively tiny. Experts recognize 17 to 19 subspecies, which vary in appearance and range disagreement exists over whether the distinctive Barbary falcon is represented by two subspecies of Falco peregrinus, or is a separate species, F. Both the English and scientific names of this species mean "wandering falcon", referring to the migratory habits of many northern populations. The peregrine is a highly successful example of urban wildlife in much of its range, taking advantage of tall buildings as nest sites and an abundance of prey such as pigeons and ducks. In fact, the only land-based bird species found over a larger geographic area is not always naturally occurring, but one widely introduced by humans, the rock pigeon, which in turn now supports many peregrine populations as a prey species. This makes it the world's most widespread raptor, and one of the most widely found bird species. It can be found nearly everywhere on Earth, except extreme polar regions, very high mountains, and most tropical rainforests the only major ice-free landmass from which it is entirely absent is New Zealand. The peregrine's breeding range includes land regions from the Arctic tundra to the tropics. As is typical for bird-eating (avivore) raptors, peregrine falcons are sexually dimorphic, with females being considerably larger than males. According to a National Geographic TV program, the highest measured speed of a peregrine falcon is 389 km/h (242 mph). It can reach over 320 km/h (200 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop (high-speed dive), making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and a black head. The technique of hunting with trained captive birds of prey is known as Falconry.The peregrine falcon ( Falco peregrinus), also known simply as the peregrine, and historically as the duck hawk in North America, is a cosmopolitan bird of prey ( raptor) in the family Falconidae. The word arose by mistaken division of Old French un niais, from Latin presumed nidiscus (nestling) from nidus (nest). A Falcon chick, especially one reared for Falconry, still in its downy stage is known as an ‘Eyas’ (sometimes spelt ‘Eyass’). Some sources give the etymology as deriving from the fact that a male Falcon is about one-third smaller than a female. The traditional term for a male Falcon is ‘Tercel’ (British spelling) or ‘Tiercel’ (American spelling), from the Latin Tertius (third) because of the belief that only one in three eggs hatched a male bird. Some small Falcons with long, narrow wings are called “Hobbies”, and some which hover while hunting are called “Kestrels”.Īs is the case with many birds of prey, Falcons have exceptional powers of vision the visual acuity of one species has been measured at 2.6 times that of a normal human. Other Falcons include the GyrFalcon, Lanner Falcon, and Merlin. Peregrine Falcons have been recorded diving at speeds of 200 miles per hour (320 km/h), making them the fastest-moving creatures on Earth. All these birds kill with their beaks, using a “tooth” on the side of their beaks - unlike the hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey in Accipitridae, which use their feet. The Falcons are the largest genus in the Falconinae subfamily of Falconidae, which itself also includes another subfamily comprising caracaras and a few other species. This makes it easier to fly while learning the exceptional skills required to be effective hunters as adults. Fledgling Falcons, in their first year of flying, have longer flight feathers, which make their configuration more like that of a general-purpose bird such as a broadwing. A Falcon is any one of 37 species of raptors in the genus Falco, widely distributed on all continents of the world except Antarctica.Īdult Falcons have thin, tapered wings, which enable them to fly at high speed and to change direction rapidly.
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