Animal Behavior

How Falcon gets food?

Falcon, an avivore, is a bird of prey that can be trained to hunt other birds and animals.

These falcons eat small birds, raw meat, and live animals such as mice and rodents. Young falcons are trained in order to hunt and they start by going after dragonflies and other large bugs.

How the animal Protects itself from predators?

Falcons protect themselves from predators by flying high and at fast speeds. With the ability to fly at speeds ranging from 40 to 65 miles per hour, the falcon is rarely prey for other predators

The long, sharp talons on a peregrine falcon also allows it to protect itself against predators. With a brown body and bluish-gray wings, they easily blend in with different surroundings which helps them avoid predators and prey upon other animals.

Falcons are aggressive birds found in different counties throughout the world. The massive birds have the ability to adapt to different habitats though some follow migratory patterns during the winter months. With wingspans of more than 3 feet, the birds can easily catch fish and other birds, even in mid-air. The average female peregrine only weighs 2 to 3 pounds, which is slightly larger than male peregrines. Although small in weight, the birds can dive at speeds of 200 miles per hour, according to the Defenders of Wildlife.

Peregrine falcons have adapted to living in many cities and make use of tall buildings that provide suitable ledges for nesting and depend on the large populations of pigeons and starlings in cities for food. They dive and catch their prey in mid-air. Peregrines have few natural predators.

Peregrine falcons mate for life and breed in the same territory each year. The male courts the female for about one month, using aerial displays. They make a nest, or scrape, on ledges and in small caves located high on a cliff. Some peregrine falcons will use man-made structures such as bridges and skyscrapers to nest.

Sleeping Habits

The peregrine falcon is a diurnal bird. This means they are active during the day and not at night, like owls for example. That does not mean that the falcons sleep all night deep, or that their behaviour cannot evolve.

The falcons regularly wake up during the night. They rotate themselves, move a bit, and go back to sleep. At night they are rarely fed, but it happens. It seems that their nocturnal activity increases with age.

The biggest discovery of the nocturnal behaviour of peregrine falcons, is that they also hunt in the dark! This was first proved by British colleagues at Derby Cathedral at the end of the 2000s. In Brussels, this nocturnal activity was already suspected in 2004. Remains of prey (feathers, carcasses, and skulls) were discovered at the base of the tower, often nocturnal migratory birds. These were indirect findings.