Peregrine Falcon
South and Central America
General Info and Description
Adaptation
Habitat
Diet
The peregrine falcon is one of the most carnivorous birds in the animal kingdom, and resides at the top of the food chain, along with eagles, hawks, and other birds of prey. The peregrine falcon has a straight-forward diet consisting mostly of medium-sized birds and large rodents, such as pigeons and chinchillas. Although it mainly hunts birds, this large predator will hunt even small rodents like rats and squirrels, picking them off one by one from the ground. (EEC, Lib)
Critical Info and How you can Help
Pesticides
Peregrine Falcons have been endangered mostly because of pesticides and other human toxins. DDT is now banned, but it has done its damage. DDT residues still reside in areas that these falcons pass, and sometimes kills them.
Areas
Recovery acts in South/ Central/ North America have begun to conserve this wondrous bird. You can help by telling your friends and family to stop using chemical toxins and by donating to animal preservation centers.
Freedom
Now that these birds have been bred in captivity, the babies can now be released into the wild. They are now classified as threatened, which shows that our efforts have succeeded somewhat.
Information and Copyright Links
Description Photo - qwincowper <http://www.flickr.com/photos/syncro/2354573600/>
Habitat Photo - DavMaherPhotos <http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveinmaine/3435793384/>
Diet Photo - JohnCramerPhotography <http://www.flickr.com/photos/johngcramer/5708946171/>
DDT Photo - tlang <http://www.flickr.com/photos/tlang/2703769063/>
Baby Falcon Photo - Topdog1 <http://www.flickr.com/photos/machefsky/62176939/>
South America Map Photo - thejourney1972 (south america addicted) <http://www.flickr.com/photos/thejourney1972/3385864064/>
Falcon Video - Mikallef, Charlo. Web. "youtube.com" saker-falcon-dive. 30 May, 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3A_hOzrV7E>. 22 April, 2013