Fauna Flora Photography

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Peregrine Falcon is the world’s fastest bird being able reaching speed over 320 km/h and it’s the most spread raptor absent only on very high mountainous regions and polar areas. The bird is capable to follow civilization and nest within cities giving it a selective advantage.

Specs

Length40-50cm
Weight600-1600g
Wingspan90-120cm

Common Names

GermanWanderfalke
EnglishPeregrine Falcon
FrenchFaucon pèlerin
SpanishHalcón peregrino

Taxonomy

OrderFalconiformes
FamilyFalconidae
SpeciesFalco peregrinus

How to Identify

I hope to get a close view of this bird’s eyes by either using binoculars or through the lense of my camera. Peregrine Falcon have a clearly distinguishable yellow ring around their eyes. The subspecies found around Montreal have dark, bluish backs. Breast is white with very dark bands.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) - Verdun - 2017-04-02
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) - Verdun - 2017-04-02

Where and When to Spot

In wildlife, I saw this bird at one spot only which is nesting below a highway bridge running along Saint Henri, Montreal. Checkout the short documentary linked below. Peregrine Falcon are around all seasons.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Jardin Botanique de Montréal - x - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.

Last updated on 2024-03-14. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.