Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Wooded bush and near cliffs. Dark grey above with closely barred underparts
Falcons, Kestrels
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Uncommon resident and summer visitor. Resident birds (a) have closely barred underparts; visiting birds (b) are whiter, lightly spotted; immature lightly streaked. In flight appears sharper-winged than [Lanner Falcon], though less so than [Eurasian Hobby]. Further distinguished from [Lanner Falcon] by broader ‘sideburns’, black (not rufous) crown. Fast, purposeful flight action with rapid, shallow wing beats followed by a brief glide. Occurs anywhere, but usually seen perched near cliffs or skyscrapers when breeding. Sparsely distributed, but wide-ranging. 500-1.2 kg.
Quick Facts
Size
34-40 cm - M
Names
A: Swerfvalk
Z: uklebosikhweshekweshe
G: Wanderfalke
Bird Family
Small raptors characterised by pointed wings and, usually, prominent ‘sideburns'. Females are larger than males. Falcons are aerial hunters, typically seizing smaller birds in a rapid dive from above. Characteristic calls are high-pitched ‘kek-kek-kek-kek' sounds, uttered when agitated. Kestrels are small falcons that eat insects caught in the air with their feet, or small mammals and reptiles caught on the ground. Their flight is more leisurely than that of true falcons.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs anywhere, but usually seen perched near cliffs or skyscrapers when breeding.
