The Peregrine Falcon

This book investigates all aspects of Peregrine Falcon life, from plumage, through diet, breeding and survival. The falcons breed on all continents apart from Antarctica and data has been collected from across that vast range. In addition, modern technology has been used to study the flights which have made the falcon famous as arguable the fastest creature on the planet. Allied to excellent photography the result is a comprehensive book on this most iconic bird.

In the second half of the last century the need to increase food production led to the widescale application of chemicals on farmland. But the chemicals had a disastrous effect on Peregrine Falcons, causing both the breaking of eggshells and the killing of adult birds. Everywhere the chemicals were used the Peregrine population fell sharply: in some areas the falcons were extirpated. Alerted by both amateur and professional rnithologists to an impending catastrophe, governments banned the chemicals. Slowly the Peregrine population began to rise, in part prompted by the bird’s remarkable ability to adapt. In parts of its range the falcon realised that buildings could be utilised as make-shift cliffs for breeding. And where humans congregated, pigeons flourished. That combination of potential breeding sites and high densities of a preferred prey meant an increase in urban living for the resourceful Peregrine, and numbers climbed steadily. The falcons’ arrival in town increased human interest. Nestboxes were provided and video cameras were installed to watch Peregrine family life. Added to its fabulous flying abilities and renowned speed, the falcon that had once been seen only by those who sought it out in remote, wild places, became a star of local CCTV.

Contents

Introduction
1. The Falcons   10
2. The Peregrine Falcon   34
3. Flight Characteristics: Flight, Hunting Techniques and Strategies   92
4. Diet   162
5. Food Consumption and Energy Balance   246
6. Breeding Part 1: Pair Formation to Nest Sites   256
7. Breeding Part 2: Eggs to Fledglings   292
8. Movements and Winter Grounds   364
9. Friends and Foes   394
10. Population: Survival and Population Numbers   416

References   492
Index   526