Falconidae | Falco peregrinus

Peregrine falcon

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is considered as the fastest animal in the world, reaching top records at 389 km /h. This predator of the air hunts birds. It swoops down on its prey, for guaranteed success.

Characteristics

Status

Near Threatened (NT) Size

Discover Incubation

Discover Habitat

Steppe and mountain Diet

Ornithophage

Peregrine falcon IUCN Status

EX Globally extinct RE Disappeared at the regional level CR Critically endangered EN Endangered (EN) VU Vulnerable NT Near Threatened LC Least concern

Peregrine falcon Size

Peregrine falcon Incubation

Ecozone Into the wild of Russia

Description

The fastest animal in the world!

To reach speed peaks over 350km / h the peregrine falcon has several adaptations. Its nostrils are equipped with deflectors called "hornets", which allow you to manage pressure and breathe during dives.

In addition, its vision is highly developed at high speed. Its eyes are twice as efficient as ours at capturing movements and it is able to spot its prey from 3 km away. Each of its eyes has a 150 ° viewing angle and the black tears under the eyes capture the sun's rays and are intended to limit glare.

Conservation

An increasingly important disturbance

The peregrine falcon is a protected species on French territory but remains vulnerable to many nuisances. Whether it is threats from natural predators like the eagle owl or human nuisance, the falcon does not like to be disturbed.

The open-air activities that have developed in recent years are disrupting raptor nesting, reducing potential settlement sites and adding to the poorly understood but harmful impacts of pesticides used in certain regions occupied by this species.