Watchable Wildlife: Peregrine falcon
Did You Know:
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Peregrines can attain speeds of 200 mph as they plunge from tremendous heights in pursuit of prey, primarily birds.
Photo: Barbara Loucks, DEC - Many New York State cities boast peregrine falcon nests on bridges and tall buildings.
- Peregrine falcons may live as long as 20 years.
What to watch for:
Size:
Peregrine falcons are about the size of a crow. Females are bigger than males.
Coloration:
Adult peregrines are slate-grey above and pale below, marked with horizontal barring on their underparts.
Immature peregrines are brown with vertical streaks on the underparts. All have a wide dark cheek patch or "moustache " mark below the eye.
Where to look:
Peregrine falcons are found in open country from tundra, savannah and sea coasts, to high mountains, as well as in urban areas.
Nests are built on high ledges, generally 50 to 200 feet off the ground.
Listen for:
Wailing call - a long drawn out scream
Cacking call - cack-cack-cack
When to look:
Year round, but especially during the nesting season from March through July
The best places to see peregrine falcons:
Peregrines nesting boxes exist on most Hudson River bridges from Albany to New York City. They also nest on Adirondack cliffs.
Check out the live falcon web cams at selected locations across the state
Click on the links below to get more information about each site:
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
More information about peregrine falcons:
Watch a clip about nesting Peregrine falcons in Buffalo, NY on DEC TV
Why band young peregrine falcons
Growth and development of peregrine falcon chicks
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