Peregrine Falcon Facts | Falco peregrinus

How to identify

The Peregrine is a large and powerful falcon. It has broad, pointed wings and a relatively short tail. Blue-grey on top, with a blackish top of the head, its obvious black 'moustache' contrasts with its white face. The breast is finely striped. It's swift and agile in flight, chasing prey. The strongholds of the breeding birds in the UK are the uplands of the north and west and rocky seacoasts. Peregrines were at a low point in the 1960s due to human persecution and the impact of pesticides in the food chain. Improved legislation and protection has helped the birds to recover and they have now expanded into many urban areas. But they are still persecuted – birds are illegally killed to stop them preying on game birds and racing pigeons. They also have eggs and chicks taken for collections and falconry. Peregrines are a Schedule 1 listed species of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Call

Peregrine Falcon

Tomas Belka / xeno-canto

Key features to look out for

The UK’s biggest falcon
Blue-grey above and white below, with dark barring on the chest and belly
White throat and cheeks, with a dark mask and ‘moustache’
Jet-black eyes, with a striking yellow eye ring
Yellow legs and base to beak
Females are bigger than males, but otherwise they look alike
Juveniles have buff-coloured underparts, with dark streaks rather than barring on the chest and belly
In flight, Peregrines have noticeable triangular-shaped wings that taper sharply to a point
Short, square-ended tail, which is sometimes fanned when soaring

Juvenile Peregrine

What’s that bird of prey

From tiny Merlins to enormous White-tailed Eagles, the UK’s birds of prey come in all shapes and sizes. These masterful predators are a real treat to see, but they’re often super-fast and many species look quite similar, which can make identifying them a challenge. In this guide, we share some simple ID tips to help you.

Identify your bird of prey here

Conservation status

Having declined dramatically as a result of persecution and pesticide poisoning, Peregrine numbers have now recovered and they feature on the Green List of birds of the least conservation concern.

However, like many birds of prey, Peregrines still fall victim to illegal killing – something that the RSPB’s Investigations Team is helping to tackle.

Where and when to see them

Difficulty rating - Moderate

Traditionally, Peregrines have nested on ledges on sea cliffs, rocky crags and quarries, but recently they’ve also started taking advantage of tall buildings, such as cathedrals, in urban areas. The highest densities of Peregrines are in upland areas of Wales, southern Scotland and north-west England.

Peregrines are much easier to spot now that they’ve started setting up home in our towns and cities, including London, Manchester, Durham, Cambridge and Winchester.

Key

Resident
Passage
Summer
Winter

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Jan
Feb
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Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Behaviour

With their streamlined body, razor sharp talons and incredible eyesight, Peregrines are the ultimate high-speed hunters. They can reach speeds of around 200 miles per hour as they plummet out of the sky in pursuit of prey, making them the fastest animals on the planet. They tend to eat medium-sized birds, such as wading birds and pigeons, but have also been known to take smaller birds, and even bats.

To help protect their delicate eyes from wind and dust as they hurtle through the air, Peregrines have special built in ‘goggles’ in the form of a third eyelid that they can draw across their eyes. This membrane is semi-transparent, allowing them to keep their eyes locked on to their target.

In summer, you’re most likely to see them in upland areas of Wales, southern Scotland and north-west England, although they are spreading south and east. In winter, Peregrines that breed in the uplands often move lower down to estuaries and coasts.