Peregrine Falcon Facts | Falco peregrinus

How to identify

The Peregrine is a large and powerful falcon. It has broad, pointed wings and a relatively short tail. Blue-grey on top, with a blackish top of the head, its obvious black 'moustache' contrasts with its white face. The breast is finely striped. It's swift and agile in flight, chasing prey. The strongholds of the breeding birds in the UK are the uplands of the north and west and rocky seacoasts. Peregrines were at a low point in the 1960s due to human persecution and the impact of pesticides in the food chain. Improved legislation and protection has helped the birds to recover and they have now expanded into many urban areas. But they are still persecuted – birds are illegally killed to stop them preying on game birds and racing pigeons. They also have eggs and chicks taken for collections and falconry. Peregrines are a Schedule 1 listed species of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.