General Information

Before WWII, the estimated number of breeding pairs of peregrines was between 350 and 400 in the eastern United States.  However, due to predators, human disturbance and pesticides their populations began to decline.  After WWII, the peregrine population was thought to be extinct in the eastern US.  Populations still remained in the west but were declining quickly.  In the 1970s, DDT, an insecticide and large culprit in peregrine decline, was banned in the US.  With the banning of this chemical, along with a Peregrine Recovery Plan established by the government, peregrine numbers were soon on the rise. 
 
Peregrine falcons did not historically nest in Ohio.  However, a pair was spotted nesting on a building in downtown Toledo in 1988.  This inspired the state to get involved with Midwest Peregrine Falcon Restoration Project; a project that aimed to restore peregrine populations in the Midwest.  Ohio released 46 peregrine falcons in Akron, Cincinnati and Columbus between 1989 and 1993.  The project was quite successful and since then peregrines have established nests in these cities as well as many others.  There are currently over 40 peregrine falcon nesting sites in the state of Ohio.
 
Peregrine falcons are well known for their amazing flight capabilities.  Because much of their prey is other birds, they have to be well skilled at capturing prey in mid-flight.  When diving for prey they can reach speeds faster than any other species of bird, capable of moving at over 200 mph.  Even when not hunting, these falcons fly between 40 and 60 mph, which is faster than most other species of birds.  While diving at these speeds, the lungs of the peregrine falcon are very sensitive to pressure changes.  They have a structure inside their nostrils called bony tubercles that expand and contract to allow the bird to breathe during such drastic pressure changes.  During the dive, they also employ their nictitating membrane, a clear third eyelid that keeps debris out of their eyes while still allowing the bird to see.

Meet Our Peregrine Falcons

Peregrine falcon, Endeavor, resides in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden (presented by KeyBank) at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Lifespan

Wild:  7-12 years 
Captivity:  12-20 years
 

Fun Facts

• Peregrine falcons have a notched beak that is unique to the species.   This tooth-like structure along the beak allows the falcon to sever the spinal column of an animal, killing it instantly.
• Peregrine falcons prefer to live in open areas where they are frequently exposed to the sun.  The black markings on their face help prevent sunlight from reflecting into their eyes, much like the black markings that football and baseball players put underneath their eyes when they are out on the field.
• The diet of a Peregrine falcon is composed almost entirely of other birds, including but not limited to doves, pigeons, quail and gulls.
• To catch prey from mid-air, peregrine falcons will ball up their talons and knock a bird out of the air, which stuns them and causes them to free fall to the ground for easy capture.