Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus

The *Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)* is a worldwide species found on all continents except Antarctica. Within North America, the species my be found almost anywhere, but it primarily breeds in western mountains as well as some montane areas in the east. Wintering birds may often be found in many southern U.S. cities where they cause the local Rock Pigeon populations to be extra vigilant. In the 1970s this species was in a steep population decline, but the banning of DDT as well as placing this species on the Endangered Species list are two factors credited with bringing the bird back to decent numbers. The species was recently taken off the Endangered Species list, a prime example of how that list is supposed to work. I am posting a few old shots of this species here, but hope to be able to take some newer and higher-quality images and add them here in the future. The adult bird shown here was perched on a bridge support in Corpus Christi, Nueces Co., Texas, in March, 1991. It was photographed with a Canon T-90 and FD 400mm F/4.5 lens on Kodachrome 64 film. The next two shots were taken of an immature bird in Austin, Travis Co., Texas in August, 1992 with the same equipment.


The adult Peregrine below was perched on a channel marker on Copano Bay, Aransas Co., Texas, in February, 2001.Any passing gull, tern, or other species could end up as prey to this watchful Peregrine. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 3 and EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens on Fuji Provia film.
The next seven shots show a Peregrine Falcon at Nome, Alaska, in June, 2012. The falcon had a nest under a bridge and was in the process of driving a pair of Common Ravens away from the area.


The falcon is starting into a dive toward a raven.



Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co., Texas 2 October 2016
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Chambers Co., Texas 16 January 2017 This bird was drying its wings after hard rains had stopped. After I took a few shots the bird took off and flew out of sight to the east.
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Chambers Co., Texas 16 January 2017 This bird was drying its wings after hard rains had stopped. After I took a few shots the bird took off and flew out of sight to the east.
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Chambers Co., Texas 16 January 2017 This bird was drying its wings after hard rains had stopped. After I took a few shots the bird took off and flew out of sight to the east.