Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a robust species of medium-sized raptor, renowned for being the fastest swooping bird in the world. Its prey is almost exclusively birds, but some individuals can also attack small terrestrial animals. This falcon does not build nests, and nests mainly on cliffs, more rarely on trees, structures or high buildings. Its populations declined sharply after the Second World War, particularly due to DDT pollution. Since its protection in the 1970s, its populations have been expanding again.
The species' distribution area extends over 10,000,000 km2. It has around twenty subspecies and is one of the birds with the largest distribution area in the world, the species being present on all continents except Antarctica. It was often tamed as a falconry bird, while having been – like other falconids – considered in Europe as harmful and persecuted for this reason.
The species' distribution area extends over 10,000,000 km2. It has around twenty subspecies and is one of the birds with the largest distribution area in the world, the species being present on all continents except Antarctica. It was often tamed as a falconry bird, while having been – like other falconids – considered in Europe as harmful and persecuted for this reason.