Living On The Edge

Introduction

Species in Recovery

Success Stories

Endangered Animals

Endangered Plants

Description: The peregrine falcon has a dark head which appears hooded and is about the size of a crow – 16 inches long with a wingspread of about 40 inches. The female is larger than the male. Adult birds are slate blue on the back and have white- to buff-colored throats. The belly is also white or buff with some black bars.

Habitat and Habits: The peregrine falcon eats pigeons, shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds. It rarely eats mammals and insects. Peregrines hunt while soaring or from perches, diving vertically and striking birds at high speeds. These impressive dives are called stoops. Speeds of 200 mph have been recoded during a stoop. Nest sites are often on rocky cliffs or tall buildings in cities, but are also found in tree hollows and on tall bridges. The clutch size ranges from two to six eggs but is usually three to four with an incubation period of about 30 days. The young peregrines leave the nest after 35 to 42 days. The adult peregrines will feed on one or two starling-size birds per day.

Photographer: Lowell Washburn

Distribution: Peregrine falcons occur worldwide in arctic and temperate areas. Historically, they primarily nested in Iowa on cliffs along the Mississippi River and the Cedar River.

Conservation Efforts: In 1989 the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Program initiated a reintroduction project for peregrines in Iowa. Twenty-three birds released in Cedar Rapids in 1989 and 1990, 19 in Des Moines in 1991 and eight were released in Muscatine in 1992. The young birds are acquired from licensed breeding facilities. When the young birds are about 35 days old and can tear their own food, they are taken to the release site. There the young peregrines are held in a large “hack” box and monitored until they learn to fly and hunt. The goal to establish five nests in Iowa by the year 2000 was met. These breeding pairs have become established in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Lansing, Davenport, and at the Louisa Generating Station.

Reasons for Listing: Use of DDT and similar pesticides caused a drastic decline of peregrines in the United States and Europe through the 1970s. While no longer on the federal endangered species list, the peregrine remains as a federally protected species and is a state listed endangered species for the State of Iowa. Through the collective cooperative efforts of federal, state, and local government agencies and volunteer businesses, groups and individuals, the peregrines are once again being seen soaring in Iowa’s skies. The peregrine falcon was removed from the federal threatened and endangered species list on August 25, 1999. The peregrine remains protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.