Photo: Creepanta / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Birds of Prey

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) — Birds of Prey of Worldwide.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Australian Capital Territory Birds of New South Wales Birds of Northern Territory Birds of Queensland Birds of South Australia Birds of Tasmania Birds of Victoria Birds of Western Australia Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia

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The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a member of the Falconidae family found in Africa, Australia & Oceania and Central America & Caribbean. Adults weigh 760 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Falconiformes
Family Falconidae Caracaras, Falcons
Genus Falco
Species peregrinus

Where it lives

Worldwide widespread

Quick facts

Weight: 760 g
Diet: Vertebrate hunters
Family: Falconidae
Order: Falconiformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Main colours Black Grey White

Male vs female

Sexes look alike in plumage; females are markedly larger (up to ~30%).

Juvenile appearance

Immatures are browner above with streaked (rather than barred) underparts and a pale bluish cere and eye-ring (adults have a yellow cere and eye-ring).

Similar birds

Least Concern

Lanner Falcon

Falco biarmicus

Near Threatened

Laggar Falcon

Falco jugger

Vulnerable

Grey Falcon

Falco hypoleucos

Near Threatened

Orange-breasted Falcon

Falco deiroleucus

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Peregrine Falcon preys mainly on other vertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of open grassland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.

Migration

The Peregrine Falcon is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a species of bird in the Falconidae family, part of the order Falconiformes. Its range spans Africa, Australia & Oceania and Central America & Caribbean. Its distribution covers Worldwide widespread.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 760 g, with a wing length of about 31.5 cm and a tail of around 14.3 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 38.1 million km² — a very large global range.

Songs & calls

Peregrine Falcon — Alarm call

Recorded by Leander Khil Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Peregrine Falcon?

The Peregrine Falcon is a large bird that weighs around 760 g.

Where does the Peregrine Falcon live?

The Peregrine Falcon is found across Africa, Australia & Oceania and Central America & Caribbean with a range covering Worldwide widespread, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Peregrine Falcon belong to?

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) belongs to the Falconidae family, in the order Falconiformes.

What does the Peregrine Falcon eat?

The Peregrine Falcon preys mainly on other vertebrates.

Does the Peregrine Falcon migrate?

The Peregrine Falcon is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the Peregrine Falcon endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Peregrine Falcon make?

1 real field recording of the Peregrine Falcon — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Peregrine Falcon's range?

The Peregrine Falcon has a mapped global range of about 38.1 million km².