Falco peregrinus, commonly known as the peregine falcon. Image from Nature Notes.
Falco peregrinus
Contents
Taxonomy
Introduction
Morphological Features
Anatomical/Physiological Features
Range of Habitat
Interesting Facts
References
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Falconiformes
Family
Falconidae
Genus
Falco
Species
peregrinus
The organisms of Animalia are mostly multicellular and eukaryotic. While most animals are motile, several organisms can not move, such as coral. The phylum Chordata refers to animals that have a backbone sometime in their lifespan. Several organisms that we are familiar with are categorized within the Chordata phylum, such as reptiles, birds, or fish, etc. Even us as Homo sapiens belong in this phylum, since we are vertebrates for our entire lives. The class can further determine a species from the Chordata phylum; in the case of Falco peregrinus, it belongs to the class of Aves.
Introduction Well recognized for its speed, Falco peregrinus or peregrine falcon is the fastest organism in the kingdom Animalia. The name "peregrine" means "wanderer". The peregrine falcon is able to fly at speeds over 320 miles per hour in a dive. The average life span of the peregrine falcon is around 5~6 years. Usually, the falcons are able to fly 40 days after birth, and arefed by their parent for about 70 days, reaching sexual maturity in around 1 year. Peregrine falcons prey on other birds, ranging from sparrows to ducks, and also bats and other small mammals. Once endangered by the pesticide DDT (dichlorociphenyltrichloroethane), which made their eggs thinner and more vulnerable and resulting in a great drop in population, the peregrine falcons' population has increased since the ban of DDT usage in North America. The eggs of the peregrine falcon are reddish brown with dark brown blotches.
The accumulation of DDT through the ecosystem. Image from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Eggs of Peregrine Falcon. Image from Journey North.
Morphological Features
Around the size of a crow, peregrine falcons are slim birds with a small head and long, thin, pointed wings. Peregrine falcons can also be recognized by their blue-gray back, various barred white underparts with black spots, and a black head with a signature black "moustache", as shown in the picture. In terms of sexual dimorphism, female peregrine falcons are known to be significantly larger than males. The cere (spongy swelling found on the beak of birds) and feet of the bird are a bright yellow, while the beak and talons are black. The average length of the peregrine falcon is around 16 inches, with a wingspan of 41 inches. Male peregrine falcons weigh of 720 grams, while females can weigh at a significantly heavier 1060 grams, a large size for a falcon. As shown in the picture, the upper part of the beak is bent at quite an angle, an asset which enables the falcons to kill their prey by severing the spinal column located at the neck area, as shown in the video in the section below, or dives on prey from above and stikes with feet, or pursues prey from behind.
The sharp beak of Falco peregrinus enables it to sever its prey's spinal column in its signiture hunting stoop. Image from BrettB.
Falco peregrinus devouring prey with its sharp beak and talons. Image from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Anatomical/Physiological Features
The secret of Falco peregrinus' fast flight lies within their bones; most of the bones in the bird are hallow and thin. However, the falcon's bones also have internal struts and trusses that criss cross each other, strengthening the bone. Also, the peregrine falcon has the ability to curve its wings at a sudden moment, accelerating downwards in an instant. Streamlined feathers reduce the air resistance that is put on the peregrine falcon; in fact, the falcon's air resistance is very near zero! Their strong breast muscles attached to their keel shaped sternum gives the bird the ability to flap their wings rapidly when needed, and therefore providing the initial velocity that turns into a high-speed dive. Below shows the peregrine falcon taking a hunting stoop against a red tailed hawk that is attempting to invade its nest, severing its spinal column.
Range of Habitat
The range of the peregrine falcon is a wide one. Having one of the longest migrations of any North American bird, the falcons stay in South America for winter, and migrate up to 25000 kilometers in a year. Worldwide, the peregrine falcon is one of the most widespread birds in the world, being found on all of the continents with the exception of Antarctica, and also on many oceanic islands. Below are maps that list the ranges of the peregrine falcon in North/South America and worldwide.
Peregrine Falcon map of range in North/South America. Image from All About Birds.
Peregrine Falcon map of range worldwide. Note: Yellow:Breeding summer visitor. Green: Breeding resident. Blue: Winter visitor. Light Blue: Passage visitor. Image from Wikipedia, compiled from the Handbook of the Birds of the World.
Interesting Facts
At it's maximum diving speed, the peregrine falcon can reach a total speed of over 200 miles per hour (320 kilometers per hour)! In comparison, the cheetah can run at a speed of 60 miles per hour, or 97 kilometers per hour. Also in comparison, Usain Bolt ran at a a maximum speed of 44.17 kilometers per hour in the 2009 World Championship in Berlin.
The peregrine falcon has almost 0 air resistance!
References
"Canon EOS 300D / Digital Rebel Photo Sample Gallery 3." Brettb.Com: Developer Tools, Technical Articles, Travel Log, Tropical Fish and More... Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http://www.brettb.com/canoneos300d_gallery3.asp>.
Diversity of Life
Kingdon: Animalia
Falco peregrinus, commonly known as the peregine falcon. Image from Nature Notes.
Falco peregrinusTaxonomy
The organisms of Animalia are mostly multicellular and eukaryotic. While most animals are motile, several organisms can not move, such as coral. The phylum Chordata refers to animals that have a backbone sometime in their lifespan. Several organisms that we are familiar with are categorized within the Chordata phylum, such as reptiles, birds, or fish, etc. Even us as Homo sapiens belong in this phylum, since we are vertebrates for our entire lives. The class can further determine a species from the Chordata phylum; in the case of Falco peregrinus, it belongs to the class of Aves.
Introduction
Well recognized for its speed, Falco peregrinus or peregrine falcon is the fastest organism in the kingdom Animalia. The name "peregrine" means "wanderer". The peregrine falcon is able to fly at speeds over 320 miles per hour in a dive. The average life span of the peregrine falcon is around 5~6 years. Usually, the falcons are able to fly 40 days after birth, and arefed by their parent for about 70 days, reaching sexual maturity in around 1 year. Peregrine falcons prey on other birds, ranging from sparrows to ducks, and also bats and other small mammals. Once endangered by the pesticide DDT (dichlorociphenyltrichloroethane), which made their eggs thinner and more vulnerable and resulting in a great drop in population, the peregrine falcons' population has increased since the ban of DDT usage in North America. The eggs of the peregrine falcon are reddish brown with dark brown blotches.
Morphological Features
Around the size of a crow, peregrine falcons are slim birds with a small head and long, thin, pointed wings. Peregrine falcons can also be recognized by their blue-gray back, various barred white underparts with black spots, and a black head with a signature black "moustache", as shown in the picture. In terms of sexual dimorphism, female peregrine falcons are known to be significantly larger than males. The cere (spongy swelling found on the beak of birds) and feet of the bird are a bright yellow, while the beak and talons are black. The average length of the peregrine falcon is around 16 inches, with a wingspan of 41 inches. Male peregrine falcons weigh of 720 grams, while females can weigh at a significantly heavier 1060 grams, a large size for a falcon. As shown in the picture, the upper part of the beak is bent at quite an angle, an asset which enables the falcons to kill their prey by severing the spinal column located at the neck area, as shown in the video in the section below, or dives on prey from above and stikes with feet, or pursues prey from behind.
Anatomical/Physiological Features
The secret of Falco peregrinus' fast flight lies within their bones; most of the bones in the bird are hallow and thin. However, the falcon's bones also have internal struts and trusses that criss cross each other, strengthening the bone. Also, the peregrine falcon has the ability to curve its wings at a sudden moment, accelerating downwards in an instant. Streamlined feathers reduce the air resistance that is put on the peregrine falcon; in fact, the falcon's air resistance is very near zero! Their strong breast muscles attached to their keel shaped sternum gives the bird the ability to flap their wings rapidly when needed, and therefore providing the initial velocity that turns into a high-speed dive. Below shows the peregrine falcon taking a hunting stoop against a red tailed hawk that is attempting to invade its nest, severing its spinal column.
Range of Habitat
The range of the peregrine falcon is a wide one. Having one of the longest migrations of any North American bird, the falcons stay in South America for winter, and migrate up to 25000 kilometers in a year. Worldwide, the peregrine falcon is one of the most widespread birds in the world, being found on all of the continents with the exception of Antarctica, and also on many oceanic islands. Below are maps that list the ranges of the peregrine falcon in North/South America and worldwide.
Interesting Facts
References