Adaptations
Long pointed wings support fast flight, a stiff tail controls direction, and a notched bill helps dispatch prey. Baffles inside the nostrils may help manage airflow during rapid dives.
Behavior and daily life
Peregrines watch from high perches or patrol the air before pursuing prey. Many populations migrate long distances, while some remain near productive coastal or urban territories throughout the year.
Conservation
Current profile labelLeast Concern
Restrictions on organochlorine pesticides, captive breeding, and nest protection supported major recoveries. Local risks still include disturbance, collision, illegal killing, and exposure to contaminants through prey.
During a hunting dive called a stoop, the peregrine falcon is the fastest recorded animal.
