Peregrine Falcons

by MBC

I grew up in Colorado and at the Air Force Academy in the Springs, they specialize in Falconry. Learn about these beautiful birds.

A large number of Peregrine Falcons were lost in the US during the years when DDT was being used by farmers here after World War II . Small birds would eat the crops or seeds and then the falcons would eat the small birds and get poisoned. The build up of pesticides would prevent calcium production and the egg shells of their offspring became flimsy and would break when the mom sat on them. Now over 20 years later, there are no Peregrines on the East Coast. In 1970 Peregrine Falcons were finally listed as endangered.

DDT is now banned in the United States and Peregrines are no longer endangered. Yeah! But they have still been impacted. Unfortunately in other third world countries the use of DDT still is going on.

What do Peregrin Falcons Eat?

These raptors eat small birds.

Unlike the Owls who swallow their prey whole and later puke up pellets,  Peregrines dismember their prey (small birds). If you find guts, legs, feathers and feet on the ground it may be the leftovers from a Peregrine meal.

What is the Worlds Fastest Bird?

You guessed it the Peregrine Falcon is the answer. 

According to National Geographic’s Bird Watcher’s Bible the peregrine falcon is dubbed “the worlds greatest arialist”.  A peregrine can dive at speeds as fast as 200 miles per hour, which makes them the “worlds fastest animal.”

Watch This - Spectacular Video

I want to review the book titled Wings for My Flight – The Peregrine Falcons of Chimney Rock by Marcy Cottrell Houle.

You may have read some of my other book reviews, but it you have not, I should tell you that that I enjoy reading books about birds (or nature), adventure stories and memoirs of actual people. 

I live in Colorado and this book, The Peregrine Falcons of Chimney Rock, takes place in Southern Colorado at Chimney Rock. It focuses on the Peregrine Falcon and I love to learn about each bird species through stories rather than just looking at a list of characteristics which is how most bird identification books are written. 

Wings for My Flight was honored by winning the Christopher Award which chooses writers of books, motion pictures and television that "affirm the highest values of the human spirit". This book is a partial autobiography by Marcy Cotrell Houle. I heartily recommend it.  Wings for My Flight is part adventure, part falcon history and part ecophilosophy.

Peregrine falcons are on the endangered species list of birds.  They are raptors who nest on cliffs. The book begins when Marcy, a recent college graduate in wildlife biology, goes to live in Southern Colorado and work observing Peregrines there. It covers the inner workings of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.  It has some tense political situations when local people want to develop the Chimney Rock area for economic gain, which will endanger the Peregrines during nesting season (which impacts their future survival).

To order this book from Barnes and Noble Click on the Blue text after the photo below.

 

 

The Peregrine Fund

The Peregrine Fund was established as a response to the decline in Peregrines from DDT exposure.  The fund was housed at Cornell University. Tom Cade was the Director of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology at a that time and the co-founder was Bob Berry.

40 pairs of adult falcons were housed in what was dubbed the Peregrine Palace (a 230 foot long building). Their goal was to study and perhaps reintroduce the falcon to the wild.  Their funding came from a variety of sources including: private donations, IBM, the World Wildlife Fund, the US Army, the Audubon Society, US Fish and Wildlife among others.  Before they knew it they had 20 young birds who were captively born.  They also developed Artificial Insemination techniques (leading edge science at the time) and effectively restored the Peregrine population in the US.

 

Specially Designed Hat for Falcon Artificial Insemination

Specially Designed Hat for Falcon Artificial Insemination
Specially Designed Hat for Falcon Artificial Insemination

Very Adaptable Bird

The Peregrine Falcon is found on every continent except for Antarctica and Iceland. The word Peregrinus is Latin for wanderer.

Historically Falcons Have Been Associated with Royalty

Falcons have long been used as diplomatic gifts. The Gulf states have long been breeders and trainers of falcons.

More Articles by Marsha Camblin

This article will make suggestions for attracting butterflies and or birds to your garden. Sometimes the same plant works to attract both butterflies and birds.
I’m writing this article on Earth Day. Since I am an avid birder I want to offer you some suggestions on ways you can protect the birds wherever you live.
Hummingbirds are fascinating and enchanting little birds. This article will have a deep look at how hummingbirds are different from other birds. I’m sure you will learn a lot here
Learn about the family Falconidae or falcons. These birds of prey are fascinating and beautiful. Hunters train them.
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Updated: 11/26/2019, MBC
 
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Comment Here - Have You Ever Seen a Peregrine Falcon?

Only logged-in users are allowed to comment. Login
MBC on 05/18/2016

OK I'll give you that.

sheilamarie on 05/17/2016

No, but we have eagles and owls and ospreys living in our neighbourhood. It's important to protect the places where these birds nest.

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