falcon

=== **Peregrine Falcon**=== By: alayna9 The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest creature on the planet in its hunting dive, the stoop, in which it soars to a great height, then dives steeply at speeds in excess of 320 km/h (200mph) into either wing of its prey, so as not to harm itself on impact. Although not self-propelled speeds, due to the fact that the falcon gathers the momentum and controls its dive, capture (if any) and landing in its own right, technically there is no faster animal.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon
 * Falco**

**Size**
Length: 15 inches Wingspan: 40 inches http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i3560id.html

Diet
Peregrine Falcons feed almost exclusively on birds, such as doves, waterfowl and songbirds, but occasionally they hunt small mammals, including bats, rats, voles and rabbits. Insects and reptiles make up a relatively small proportion of their diet. On the other hand, a growing number of city-dwelling Falcons find that feral pigeons and Common Starlings provide plenty of food.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_falcon

**Population**
The Peregrine Falcon became endangered because of the overuse of pesticides, during the 1950s and 1960s. Pesticide build-up interfered with reproduction, thinning eggshells and severely restricting the ability of birds to reproduce. The DDT buildup in the falcon's fat tissues would result in less calcium in the eggshells, leading to flimsier, more fragile eggs. In several parts of the world, this species was wiped out by pesticides. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_falcon

**Lifespan**
The average life span of a peregrine falcon is approximately 6-8 years, although some may live for 20 years. http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/publications/lifeseries/peregrine.htm

**Habitat**
Peregrine Falcons live mostly along mountain ranges, river valleys, coastlines, and, increasingly, in cities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_Falcon#Range.2C_habitat_and_subspecies

**Rang****e**
They are widespread throughout the entire world and are found in all of the continents except Antarctica. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_Falcon#Range.2C_habitat_and_subspecies

**Offspring**
Peregrine Falcons breed at approximately two or three years of age. The laying date varies according to locality, but is generally: The females incubate the eggs for twenty-nine to thirty-two days at which point the eggs hatch. While the males also sometimes help with the incubation of the eggs, they only do so occasionally and for short periods. Thirty-five to forty-two days after hatching, the chicks will fledge, but they tend to remain dependent on their parents for a further two months. The tiercel, or male, provides most of the food for himself, the female, and the chicks; the falcon, or female, stays and watches the young. The average life span of a Peregrine Falcon is approximately eight to ten years, although some have been recorded to live until slightly more than twenty years of age. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_falcon
 * from February to March (in the Northern Hemisphere)
 * from July to August (in the Southern Hemisphere)

**Interesting facts**
Falcons will eat their own chicks if hungry. The fastest speed recorded is 390 km/h (242.3mph). At this speed, the air intake is powerful enough to burst the lungs of the bird but the curved cones around its nose divert enough air from the lungs to keep the bird from being injured.