North American field guide
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Also known as:Duck Hawk
Identification
Field notes
38-51 cm (15-20") Uncommon to rare. Mountains, woods, coasts, urban areas.
Large dark falcon - crow size; blueish-gray above; black crown extends down to form heavy sideburns; white throat; barred breast and belly; long, pointed wings; long, banded tail.
Immature: dark brown above; heavily streaked below.
In flight; swift, direct, pigeon-like flight.
Catches birds on the wing. Increasing through nest protection and restocking.
Song: harsh "ki-ki-ki-ki".
Details in the field
Photo gallery
Watch and learn
Videos
Peregrine Falcon kills white-faced ibis in Massachusetts while Green Mountain College class watches
Credit: blustmハヤブサ Peregrine Falcon vol.2
Credit: EFP8823Peregrine Falcon Sky Dive - Inside the Perfect Predator - BBC
Credit: BBC StudiosPeregrine Falcon Kills Red Tailed Hawk
Credit: daboi2345Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant · 2 rules
These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.
Peregrine Falcon
2 rulesRule 1 11 criteria · confidence 2
- How was the bird SEEN BEST ?
- In flight
- What SHAPE were the wings ?
- Pointed · Unknown
- What SIZE was the TAIL ?
- Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the TAIL ?
- Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
- What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?
- Dark and light bands across it · None · Unknown
- What colour was the BACK ?
- Blue · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Very short · Short · Unknown
- Did it have a bold dark sideburn or mustache mark on the face?
- Yes · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized · Goose-sized
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Hawk-like
Rule 2 9 criteria · confidence 2
- How was the bird SEEN BEST ?
- While landed
- What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?
- Dark and light bands across it · Unknown
- What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?
- Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
- What colour was the BREAST ?
- White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Very short · Short · Unknown
- Did it have a bold dark sideburn or mustache mark on the face?
- Yes · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized · Goose-sized
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Hawk-like