Peregrine Falcons are some of the worlds coolest birds around.
Did you know that they can travel around 200 miles per hour in free fall? When the falcon tucks it’s wings into a stoop their is a small venturi slot that is created between the main body of the bird and the inside of their wings. This creates a fast moving jet stream of air forced through the slot. As everyone knows all velocities in physics are relative so as the air moves faster past the bird it also means the bird moves faster through the air! Venturi slots are why race cars are always so low to the ground (in addition to better handling performance).
The birds have keen eyesight and view prey at up to 2 miles away. This means that when they are 10,000 feet up they could spot a Vole on the ground. However, when Peregrines ride thermals to climb up to higher elevations before tucking into a stoop, the falcons pick other bird species out of the air. 50% of the volume of their skull is their eyeball. This is compared to humans which have eye balls that are proportionally 10 times smaller. Peregrines have an extra set of cones at the back of their retina they use one set for binocular vision for very precise near to medium distance vision. For longer distances they turn their head and use a separate set of cones through one eye only. In a similar fashion to looking through a telescope.
The Peregrines are a cosmopolitan species and can be found on every continent except for Antarctica. They really only need two things. A high perch and plenty of food. Incidentally they have adapted to many of the world’s cities living off of pigeons.
Once the Peregrine latch onto their prey they sink their .8inch talons into the flesh. The talons stay attached to their prey through a ratcheting system similar to a zip tie!
When the next generation of baby peregrines are born they break through their shells with a special part of their beak called an egg tooth. Born partially feathered, the peregrine fledgling will likely be flying in 6-8 weeks. Parents entice their offspring to fly by gradually encouraging them to fly away from their nests to recieve their food gathered from their parents. 50% of offspring make it to adulthood.
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