With it's pointed wings, hooked
beak,
powerful claws, and keen eyes,
the peregrine falcon
is a formidable hunter that
captures it's prey on
the wing by diving vertically
over 200 kilometres per
hour. This magnificent
bird of prey, which kings
used for hunting, is one of
the fastest birds in the world.
The peregrine falcon population
worldwide has dropped dramatically since
the 1940's. Why the decline? There are
a number
of reasons:
*Absorbing DDT - which their prey
had ingested - leading the females
to produce eggs with shells so
they break after just the slightest
shock.
*Less and less prey because of
declining habitats
*Wrongly thinking that falcons
kill their poultry or were competing
with them, farmers and hunters
shoot them down during migration
This species nests in more than 25 North American cities,
thanks to the enthusiastic collaboration of
building managers, private
donors, and
hundreds of
volunteers. In New York
City, 10 pairs were observed in 1991.
Chicago now has five pairs and Milwaukee three.