Diving in at 200 mph, peregrine falcons keep their prey in sight by processing visual information with great speed, says Tufts wildlife veterinarian Peregrine falcons target birds flying in flocks below them, often knocking their prey out of the air, says Maureen Murray, V03, who cares for injured wildlife at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts. This hunting stoop is a high speed dive, during which they can reportedly reach speeds up to 242 miles per hour! Peregrine falcons employ various modes of pursuit. The RSPB hosts a series of Date with Nature events across the UK during the breeding season to … (White, et al., 2002) Peregrine falcons are most successful in capturing prey if they can swoop down from great heights. This hunting story describes what is pretty much "Modern Day True Falconry" but there are many variations with different types of Falcons, Hawks and Accipiters. How Do Peregrine Falcons Kill their Prey? "We saw falcons do a series of fixes to keep the prey at the same angle in the camera's field of view." Falcons These are small to medium-sized birds of prey with tapered wings and tails. When they spot something to eat, they fold their wings and perform a hunting stoop. Urban Environment – Peregrine falcons are incredibly adaptable creatures. While hunting, falcons fly high above their prey, and cruise in search of a likely target. On top of Palazzo Pirelli, a 127m tall skyscraper in Milan, there’s a nesting couple of peregrine falcons who hunt the many pigeons that live in the city. Previous research on dragonflies and bats found similar uses of this type of attack strategy. Peregrine falcons capture their prey with their talons, but they generally kill with their beak by severing the backbone. Peregrines can often be found above rocky sea cliffs and upland areas throughout the UK in the breeding season. Yes they do. Both are excellent beginner birds, though a kestrel needs more care and attention than a red-tail, as they are easier to accidentally kill due to their small size. These modes are described as follows: Stoop is probably the most readily used method of attacking its prey. Adults have blue-gray wings, dark brown backs, a buff colored underside with brown spots, and white faces with a black tear stripe on their cheeks. The Mallard was cut up and shared between the Falcon and the Dogs. Let us discuss how do peregrine falcons hunt in the wild. Humans have used falcons for hunting for thousands of years. In some areas, where they may have to rely on insects, lizards, or mammals for prey, peregrine falcons hunt on foot on the ground. Famously, they attack smaller birds, like starlings, by using a technique called a stoop. Peregrine falcons may well be the fastest hunters in the animal kingdom. Falconry with American Kestrels is much different because of the size and the prey that they hunt. They include kestrels, which hover while searching for food, and the larger, peregrine-like falcons, which are fast-flying, agile and dramatic. There are a number of different raptors, including hawks, accipiters, eagles, falcons, and owls, but you will most likely be starting with a red-tailed hawk or an American kestrel.

In winter, they are often seen hunting above East Coast marshland.

Their name comes from the Latin word peregrinus, which means "to wander." The peregrine falcon is a raptor, or bird of prey. They have a hooked beaks and strong talons.