Built for speed, the peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, having been clocked diving at 240 miles per hour. They have been long admired by humans—sometimes worshipped as a god (as the Egyptians did) or domesticated and trained as treasured hunting and sporting companions (in the Arab Middle East). I recall an incident in 2017 in which a Saudi prince purchased 80 airplane seats for his 80 falcons. I have even heard that some falcons have passports, which allows them to travel across international borders with their keepers.
Peregrines are found all over the world except in extreme polar regions, in very high mountains, or in tropical rainforests. They even have been known to live in cities which provides plenty of food (pigeons) and excellent, protected nesting spots (like the crevices in tall buildings or crotches in bridge spans). Pairs mate for life, returning to the same spot each year.
Falcons are avivores—meaning that they eat other birds. Fast and agile, falcons will stun (or kill) their prey in mid-air. The falcon begins its "stoop" by identifying its object of prey, flying to a very high altitude, and then diving (very fast) towards its target. The falcon pulls-in its wings, making itself streamlined, retracts its feet, and aims to hit one of the wings of the other bird (if not killing it, sending it into a spin). The falcon then quickly turns-back and catches the prey before it hits the ground. To protect its eyes during an attack, the falcon has a transparent "nictitating membrane"—like a clear, extra eyelid. Also, because diving from great heights can damage the bird's lungs, they have a specially formed nostril which helps redirect the air as the bird plunges from one altitude to another.
The stoneware peregrine falcon, shown above, was sculpted by Knud Kyhn in 1967. It exhibits the alert energy and regal bearing of the noble peregrine falcon. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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