To date, we have not seen a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) land or perch in our yard, but we have seen one or two soar overhead. They definitely do nest in the vicinity of Lake Lenape. They are beautiful in flight and can achieve a speed of over 200 mph (320 km/h) during their peculiar hunting dives. National Geographic TV once recorded one such “hunting stoop” at 242mph (389 kph). They are the fastest animal on the planet.
The Peregrine’s diet is almost exclusively medium sized birds. So, much of its prey is depicted on the wall around it. It will also eat reptiles and even insects, if need be. It earned its name, which means “wanderer” due to its strange migratory patterns. Peregrine Falcons have wandered almost over the entire globe, with nesting areas from the tropics to both arctic tundras. The only non-arctic land mass where they have not yet nested is New Zealand. Perhaps they don’t like sheep. The only other bird that has a wider, world distribution is the Rock Pigeon, and that is because they were introduced by humans. I guess the British had not heard of clay pigeons yet.
Family: Falcons
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