Facts
- Peregrine falcons can fly as fast as 200 mph.
- They are found on every continent except Antarctica.
- Peregrines can be identified by their blue-gray color, barred chest, and dark head.
- Peregrines like to nest and perch on tall structures such as skyscrapers, water towers, and cliffs. They wait until there is a group of birds gathered underneath of them and then dive off of their perch to scare the birds up and catch one. They often target pigeons in cities and shorebirds along the coasts.
- Peregrine falcons are monogamous. They reach sexual maturity in two years and then lay 3-4 eggs each year. Both the male and female incubate the eggs. Once hatched, the chicks stay with their parents for a month and a half until they can hunt on their own.
Special Anatomy
Because the peregrine falcon flies at such high speeds, it has developed special anatomical adaptations.
Because the peregrine falcon flies at such high speeds, it has developed special anatomical adaptations.
- Nictitating membranes (third eyelids): Keeps the eyes moist, removes debris, and allows the peregrine falcon to focus in on its prey while diving at high speeds.
- Tubercles in the nostrils: Because the peregrine falcon dives from such great heights, the change in air pressure at such a fast rate could damage the bird's lungs. Peregrine's have special tubercles on their nostrils that direct airflow away from the nostrils. This adaptation allows the birds to dive from great heights without the effects of a rapid change in air pressure.
- Wing shape: The peregrine falcon has especially long primary feathers, giving it a long wing shape. The flight feathers are stiff and angular, making the wings pointed in appearance. This reduces the drag force experienced in flight.
- Large keel: The peregrine's keel, or breastbone, is especially large. The muscles used for flight attach to the keel and since the peregrine falcon has such a large keel, more muscle can attach to it and generate powerful flight.
- Air sacs: The peregrine falcon has a very large number of air sacs in the lungs that keep them inflated even when the falcon is exhaling, helping it breathe at such high speeds.
- Heart: The peregrine falcon is able to flap its wings four times per second without fatiguing quickly. This is due to the rapid oxygen circulation throughout the body. The peregrine falcon can reach a heart rate between 600 and 900 beats per minute during maximum exertion.
Locomotion
- Vertical tuck: Once the peregrine has pulled its wings closer to its body and is in the tucked shape, it can fly as fast as 150mph. During the vertical tuck, researchers found that certain feathers on the midsection of the body popped up in a cupped shape similar to special flaps that air crafts use to control lift. These special feathers are shown in the picture to the left.
- Complete dive: When the peregrine has pulled its wings completely against its body, serving as a vacuum-packed wrap around it, it can reach speeds of 200mph.
- Horizontal sailing: The peregrine falcon flies at a horizontal speed between 40 and 60 miles per hour while it is searching for prey at lower altitudes. It does this in the same method that other birds also use to fly. When the peregrine flaps its wings using its strong breast muscles, it creates both lift and thrust forces. The air pressure of the fast moving air pushing down on the wings is much less than the pressure of the slower moving air pushing upwards on the wings. Because of this, the air pressure above the wing is less than below the wing, allowing the peregrine to stay airborne.
- Diving: The peregrine falcon pulls its wings closer into the body during different stages of the dive. This adjustment allows the falcon to move faster and faster in its pursuit. There are three main stages in the dive before the peregrine falcon comes out of the dive and attacks its prey.
- Vertical tuck: Once the peregrine has pulled its wings closer to its body and is in the tucked shape, it can fly as fast as 150mph. During the vertical tuck, researchers found that certain feathers on the midsection of the body popped up in a cupped shape similar to special flaps that air crafts use to control lift. These special feathers are shown in the picture to the left.
- Complete dive: When the peregrine has pulled its wings completely against its body, serving as a vacuum-packed wrap around it, it can reach speeds of 200mph.
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Sources
"Bio-aerial Locomotion 2011." Why Can the Peregrine Falcon Fly So Fast? Bioaerial Locomotion, 12 Dec. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
"Peregrine Falcon." National Geographic. National Geographic, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
"Peregrine Falcon." Peregrine Falcon, Life History,. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
Schmitz, Anke, Dominik Fischer, Horst Bleckmann, Christoph Brücker, and Benjamin Ponitz. "Diving-Flight Aerodynamics of a Peregrine Falcon (Falco Peregrinus)." PLOS One. N.p., 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
Zielinski, Sarah. "Secret Feather Flaps Help a Falcon Control Its Dive." Science News. Wild Things, 17 Feb. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
"Bio-aerial Locomotion 2011." Why Can the Peregrine Falcon Fly So Fast? Bioaerial Locomotion, 12 Dec. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
"Peregrine Falcon." National Geographic. National Geographic, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
"Peregrine Falcon." Peregrine Falcon, Life History,. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
Schmitz, Anke, Dominik Fischer, Horst Bleckmann, Christoph Brücker, and Benjamin Ponitz. "Diving-Flight Aerodynamics of a Peregrine Falcon (Falco Peregrinus)." PLOS One. N.p., 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
Zielinski, Sarah. "Secret Feather Flaps Help a Falcon Control Its Dive." Science News. Wild Things, 17 Feb. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.