The peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest animal; it can reach incredible speeds when it dives to catch its prey.
The Science Digest website explains that researchers have been captivated by the bird, ‘conducting experiments to measure their astonishing velocities’.
“In ideal conditions, peregrine falcons have been observed diving at speeds of up to 320km/h (200 mph),” they state.
However, the fastest recorded dive stands at 389.46 km/h, according to Science Direct, while National Geographic states that the raptor can reach speeds of 323km/h.
They do this ‘to capture prey in flight, striking in midair with its outstretched talons, or claws’.
Where can they be found?
The peregrine is an adaptable falcon that can be found in almost any habitat. It is a resident bird in Spain.
SEO/Birdlife explains that it lives in most areas of the country, although in unequal densities.
It is most common in the Cantabrian mountains, Pyrenees and Ebro river valley, along with central and eastern Spain where it enjoys limestone landscapes.
The fact that it is rare in the south-west ‘could be explained by the competition presented by Eurasian eagle-owl and Bonelli’s eagle, says SEO/Birdlife.
They also inhabit many urban areas, including Barcelona and Madrid.
They estimate that between 2,400 and 2,800 pairs reside in Spain.
Non-native peregrine falcons arrive from the north of Europe for the winter to escape freezing temperatures.
How to identify them
The RSPB explains that the peregrine is a large and powerful falcon.
It has broad, pointed wings and a relatively short tail, they state.
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.
“Peregrines are famous for hurtling out of the sky at high speed to dive-bomb their prey in mid-air,” says the RSPB.
They tend to eat medium-sized birds, such as wading birds and pigeons, but have also been known to take smaller birds, and even bats.
Some are city dwellers
Peregrines nest on cliff ledges, quarry faces, crags and sea cliffs. And they have started using tall buildings, such as cathedrals, in urban areas, says the RSPB.
Barcelona port authority revealed that four pairs have become established there, nesting in buildings and also at the nearby cliffs of Montjuïc mountain after they were re-introduced as part of project that started back in 1999.
They reported that the port is an ideal spot for the raptors due to the large populations of pigeons and doves in the area.
In 2022 the Madrid regional government reported that a pair had nested on a roof of the 12 de Octubre hospital.
Three chicks were reported to be in good health at the site on the 18th floor at a height of 72 metres; they have been ringed by the regional government.
Down south, in Cádiz, four chicks were located in the Torre de Puntales; a tower which forms part of the national electricity grid.
The company Endesa had installed nesting boxes at the site back in 2015 after it was found to be an ideal spot for the birds.
Since then 30 chicks have been counted at the location above the bay.
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