Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus

Names

English: Peregrine Falcon, Peregrine
Scientific: Falco peregrinus
German: Wanderfalke
Spanish: Halcón peregrino
French: Faucon pèlerin

Taxanomy and Subspecies

The Barbary Falcon was often regarded as subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon, but is now considederd a seperate species by many sources. But not all experts have agreed on this.

17 subspecies worldwide [GRIN 2009]. In Europe there are 3 subspecies:

  • F.p. peregrinus : Everywhere in Europe except in the range of other subspecies
  • F.p. brookei : around the Mediterranean
  • F.p. calidus : tundras in northern Europe

Size

Length: 38-45 cm
Wingspan: 90-105 cm
Weight: Males 580-720 g, Females 860-1,090 g

Maximum Age

Almost 18 years in the wild. 25 years in captivity. [Mebs & Schmidt 2006]

Habitat

Distribution

Largest distribution of all raptors. Occurs on every continent except Antarctica. Extinct in some areas but thanks to conservation programs, has recolonized many formerly abondoned areas (for example in the USA).
Can be found in most European countries. Does not breed in Iceland and in many parts of eastern Europe.

Migration

Breeding and Reproduction

Food and hunting

Population

European population estimated at about 11,000 pairs [Mebs & Schmidt 2006]. The countries with the largest populations according to [Birdlife 2004] are:
  • Spain: 2,400 - 2,700
  • France: 1,100 - 1,400
  • Russia: 1,000 - 1,200
  • UK: 1,400
  • Turkey: 1,500 - 3,000 (incl. the non European part of Turkey)
The German population has been estimated at 620 - 640 pairs by [Birdlife 2004], but in 2006 the population has already reached 945 pairs [Wanderfalke Bayern 2009].
Currently the population in Europe is increasing in most countries or is at least stable. Declining populations only in Turkey and Albania.

The tree-nesting population in central and eastern Europe declined from c. 4,000 pairs to extirpation, before restoration efforts in Germany and Poland returned it to c. 20 pairs ((European Peregrine Falcon Working Group in litt. 2007,

Threats

Conservation

For the tree nesting population, conservation measures are underway. The population is currently very low (see unter Population). Significant further efforts are needed to fully restore it across its former range, which included Germany, Poland, Russia, Belarus and the Baltic States (European Peregrine Falcon Working Group in litt. 2007).

Status IUCN/Birdlife

Least Concern (LC)

Status Global Raptor Information Network

Lower risk

References

[Birdlife International 2004] Birdlife International. 2004. Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status. Birdlife Interntional. Cambridge, UK. (Peregrine Falcon species account available at: http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/BirdsInEuropeII/BiE2004Sp3622.pdf)

[GRIN 2009] Global Raptor Information Network. 2009. Species account: Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus. Downloaded from http://www.globalraptors.org on 5 Apr. 2009

[Mebs & Schmidt 2006] Mebs, Theodor & Schmidt, Daniel (2006). Die Greifvögel Europas, Nordafrikas und Vorderasiens. Kosmos Verlag.

[Wanderfalke Bayern 2009] Arbeitsgruppe Wanderfalke in Bayern. 2009. Downloaded from http://www.wanderfalke-bayern.de/page2.html on 4 April 2009.

Books

Forsman, Dick (1999). The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East A Handbook of Field Identification. Poyser

Mebs, Theodor & Schmidt, Daniel (2006). Die Greifvögel Europas, Nordafrikas und Vorderasiens. Kosmos Verlag.

Sielicki, Janusz & Mizera, Tadeusz (eds.) (2009). Peregrine Falcon Populations - Status and Perspectivees in the 21st century. Turul.

Websites

BirdLife Species Factsheet for the Peregrine Falcon

GRIN species account for the Peregrine Falcon

RSPB information for the Peregrine Falcon

Scottish Raptor Study Groups information for the Peregrine Falcon

Society for Wild Animals "Falcon"

European Peregrine Falcon Working Group