The peregrine falcon is spread virtually throughout the world. It was
tart the most characteristic species of diurnal raptors. This bird is a
skillful hunter, for many years has been trained by man and catch their
prey in flight. It is the fastest of all, can reach 180 km / h
downhill. In fact, is the favorite for accurate because of their
qualities of flight and hunting.
It has a length of nearly 40 centimeters and is less than a kilo of
weight. The size and weight of the female are higher. This species is
the largest of the Falcon that are in the Iberian peninsula. Its peak
is short, black and shaped hook. Their wings short but very wide and
sharp. The lower parts are clear and contrast with his back to grey.
This animal adapts to almost any kind of open environment, are not very
demanding in terms of their habitat, while their prey are abundant and
can nest. Their food is basa mostly in smaller birds and small mammals
and amphibians. Mainly feeds on pigeons but also quail, partridges,
mirlos or urracas although to a lesser extent.
Preferably are at levels lower than 400 meters, cut into rocks, gorges,
abandoned quarries for nesting. This is a very territorial birds and
usually return to nest where the last time. For the month of March when
they put the eggs between two and five, that the female incubate for a
little over a month.
Feeding the chickens task is male, who is responsible exclusively
proportional food. Around six weeks, the chickens are initiated into
the flight, which lasts one months learning along with the male who
also will teach techniques for hunting.
As for the strategy game is true that teachers are true, since exploit
the blind spots of vision of the dam to carry out the attack from
behind, falling from above. Once nears its prey, kills him with their
claws.
There are a few thousand seven hundred pairs of peregrine falcons in
the Iberian peninsula, especially concentrated in the Pyrenees, the
Cantabrian Mountains, the Ibero System and the Bética. In the Ebro
basin Duero and also recorded major groups.
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The Peregrine Falcon