Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Shemgang, Bhutan
April 2008

The Peregrine Falcon is cosmopolitan and found around the world. It requires coastal or inland cliffs for breeding but prefers open country for hunting. It feeds mainly on birds both small and medium-sized which it catches on the wing. The Peregrine Falcon is extremely fast.

One of its distinguishing features is the broad moustachial stripe. In flight it looks "large-chested" with pointed wings, broad-based "arms" and a medium-sized tail. Adults are dark grey above and barred black on white below. The female is larger than the male.

The sub-species found in Bhutan, Pakistan, India and south-east China is F. p. peregrinator . This is a very dark race with a fuller hood and deep rufous underparts. This particular bird has some streaking below which suggests that it is a 2nd or 3rd calendar year bird.

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