by Louise Nilon

Created on: October 30, 2008   Last Updated: December 11, 2010

Just as the Cheetah can reach impressive speeds on land, the Peregrine falcon can reach speeds of over 200 miles an hour as it dives through the air. Known as the 'Cheetah of the Skies' the Peregrine Falcon is a precise killing machine which uses immense speed and accuracy to catch it's prey.

Known by the Latin name of Falco Peregrinus (wandering falcon) the Peregrine Falcon can be seen in many parts of the world. Common in Europe, North America, South America, Australia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and even the Arctic it is an easily recognizable bird of prey.

The Peregrine Falcon can be seen in many parts of the country. More recently they have started nesting in towns and cities where large populations of pigeons make easy pickings for them. Peregrines are relatively easy to identify; they are blueish-grey in color, have a black crest and a white face, they also have a distinctive black moustache' across their face. Young Peregrines are browner in color.

Peregrines form an anchor shape in the sky when in flight, their distinctive shape formed y their long wings and short tail. They are usually silent birds, however, if startled may make a harsh chattering noise.

The Peregrine Falcon will live for about 15 years, they are between 34 and 50cm long and their wingspan can reach from 80cm up to 120cm. The female Peregrine Falcon is much larger than the male; males weigh around 180 grams whereas females weigh around 223 grams.

Peregrines begin breeding at the age of about one and when they pick a mate they choose them for life. Peregrines will nest on rocky cliffs, however in cities they can be seen nesting on tall buildings, one breeding pair in London roosts on the Chimney of the Tate Modern.

When they have a clutch of eggs, a female peregrine incubates the eggs for around a month; after they hatch the male takes over caring for the chick, providing food for the young chick. Just over a month later the chick will be ready to fledge, however they stay with their parents for the next few months until they have learned to hunt for themselves.

A Peregrine's diet consists mainly of other birds; however they will also hunt small mammals, reptiles and insects. An adult bird will eat around 4oz of prey a day, in order to catch this amount they have developed an amazing method of hunting. Peregrines search out suitable prey and perform amazing mid-air strikes; they attack their prey mid-air with their sharp talons and if successful break the necks of their prey whilst still in flight. They will they catch the bird as it falls towards the ground. This is quite spectacular to watch, and while attacking their prey Peregrines are known to reach speeds of over 200 miles an hour, this means they are the fastest animal on the planet. Their usual flying speed is a slightly less petrifying 60 miles hour. In order to maximize their chances of catching prey they hunt mainly at dusk and dawn when they can sneak up on prey in failing light.

In the United Kingdom Peregrines were persecuted, they were actively killed during the First and Second World Wars as they used to eat carrier pigeons on their way to take messages to the troops! In the 1960s and 1970s Peregrine numbers further declined due to the use of poisonous pesticides such as DDT. Now, however, numbers of Peregrines in the UK are strong and they are protected by law, they can be widely seen throughout the UK and across many parts of the world. Remember, next time you see an anchor-shaped bird in the sky you are witnessing the fastest animal on the planet, a Peregrine Falcon the 'Cheetah of the Skies.'

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