Prof. Cathy McFadden and Paul Clarke recorded a new species at BFS this morning. They spotted “a Peregrine Falcon rapidly leaving the east field with a California Towhee in its talons and a very upset Cooper’s Hawk hot on its tail!”
The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) was previously on both the Federal and California Endangered Species lists. Pesticides, particularly DDT, caused thin-shelled eggs, which were easily broken, so few eggs hatched successfully. After DDT was banned, Peregrine populations recovered, and the Peregrine was de-listed. The recovery effort was aided by extensive captive breeding of Peregrines – an endeavor that was aided by falconers, who have hunted with Peregrine Falcons for more than 3,000 years and have developed methods for handling captive falcons.
Peregrines were highly sought-after by falconers because of their ability to dive at high speeds – they reportedly can attain speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour in a stoop (dive) as they attack their prey. The National Geographic video below shows a Peregrine’s speed being measured at over 180 mph.