Falcons (Falconidae)

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus. Birds — pigeons, starlings and shorebirds — struck in mid-air.

Falcons (Falconidae)Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinus

Scientific name: Falco peregrinus
Length: 14.2–19.3 in
Weight: 18.7–56.4 oz
Nest: Scrape on a cliff ledge, building or bridge
Entrance hole: Does not use nest boxes
Clutch: 2–5 eggs
Incubation: 33–35 days
Broods: 1 per season

Identification

Slate-grey back with a heavy black 'helmet' and moustache
Barred white underparts
Long pointed wings; stoops at over 200 mph

Voice

A harsh, rasping 'kak-kak-kak' near the nest.

Diet and feeding

Birds — pigeons, starlings and shorebirds — struck in mid-air.

What do peregrine falcons eat? · Best feeder for peregrine falcons

Peregrine Falcons by state and province

Region	Status	Nesting
Alabama	Year-round resident	February–June
Alaska	Year-round resident	April–June
Alberta	Summer breeder	April–June
Arizona	Year-round resident	February–June
Arkansas	Year-round resident	March–June
British Columbia	Year-round resident	April–June
California	Year-round resident	February–June
Colorado	Year-round resident	March–June
Connecticut	Year-round resident	March–June
Delaware	Year-round resident	March–June
Florida	Year-round resident	February–June
Georgia	Year-round resident	February–June
Idaho	Year-round resident	March–June
Illinois	Year-round resident	March–June
Indiana	Year-round resident	March–June
Iowa	Year-round resident	March–June
Kansas	Year-round resident	March–June
Kentucky	Year-round resident	March–June
Louisiana	Year-round resident	February–June
Maine	Year-round resident	April–June
Manitoba	Summer breeder	April–June
Maryland	Year-round resident	March–June
Massachusetts	Year-round resident	March–June
Michigan	Year-round resident	March–June
Minnesota	Year-round resident	April–June
Mississippi	Year-round resident	February–June
Missouri	Year-round resident	March–June
Montana	Year-round resident	April–June
Nebraska	Year-round resident	March–June
Nevada	Year-round resident	March–June
New Brunswick	Summer breeder	April–June
New Hampshire	Year-round resident	April–June
New Jersey	Year-round resident	March–June
New Mexico	Year-round resident	March–June
New York	Year-round resident	March–June
Newfoundland and Labrador	Summer breeder	April–June
North Carolina	Year-round resident	March–June
North Dakota	Year-round resident	April–June
Northwest Territories	Summer breeder	April–June
Nova Scotia	Summer breeder	April–June
Nunavut	Summer breeder	April–June
Ohio	Year-round resident	March–June
Oklahoma	Year-round resident	March–June
Ontario	Summer breeder	April–June
Oregon	Year-round resident	March–June
Pennsylvania	Year-round resident	March–June
Prince Edward Island	Summer breeder	April–June
Quebec	Summer breeder	April–June
Rhode Island	Year-round resident	March–June
Saskatchewan	Summer breeder	April–June
South Carolina	Year-round resident	February–June
South Dakota	Year-round resident	March–June
Tennessee	Year-round resident	March–June
Texas	Year-round resident	February–June
Utah	Year-round resident	March–June
Vermont	Year-round resident	April–June
Virginia	Year-round resident	March–June
Washington	Year-round resident	March–June
West Virginia	Year-round resident	March–June
Wisconsin	Year-round resident	April–June
Wyoming	Year-round resident	April–June
Yukon	Summer breeder	April–June

Frequently asked

What do peregrine falcons eat?

Birds — pigeons, starlings and shorebirds — struck in mid-air. At feeders: none — a city ledge or cliff is the habitat.

How big is a Peregrine Falcon?

14.2–19.3 in long and 18.7–56.4 oz.

Do peregrine falcons use birdhouses?

No. Scrape on a cliff ledge, building or bridge.

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.