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Species Info


Two juvenile peregrine falcons right after banding

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon is the common name. The scientific name is Falco peregrinus. The name means "wandering falcon." Peregrines are a species of the order Falconiformes, family Falconidae, which includes 39 species of falcons.

The peregrine is one of six falcons found in the United States. The others are gyrfalcon, prairie falcon, merlin, American kestrel, and the aplomado falcon.

The peregrine falcon is cosmopolitan, meaning that the species is found around the world, from the Arctic to South America. The subspecies found in the Eastern United States is anatum, and referred to as the American peregrine falcon.

For more information about identification, life history and range of the peregrine falcon visit All About Birds - Cornell University