Peregrine Falcon

Images ©:
©Bob Winters

Falco peregrinus

Large falcon, up to 45 cm. It is powerfully built. Black hood. Blue-black underparts. Creamy white chin, throat and underparts, which are finely barred from the breast to the tail. Long tapered wings have a straight trailing edge in flight. Tail is relatively short. Eye ring yellow. Heavy bill, yellow and black tipped.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Raptor
Biology

Breeding season: August to December. Clutch size two to four. They mate for life and maintain a home range of about 20-30 km square throughout the year. Pairs may hunt co-operatively, with one member, usually the male, scattering a flock of birds while the other swoops down to attack a particular individual. This co-operative behaviour is most often observed during the breeding season. Rather than building a nest, it lays its eggs in recesses of cliff faces, tree hollows or in the large abandoned nests of other birds. The female incubates the eggs, and the male hunts.
Distinctive Markings

Lacks a full black hood. Different flight silhouette to the Australian Hobby, with a curved trailing wing-edge.