Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Description: Famous for being the fastest animal in the world, peregrine falcons can reach speeds up to 200 miles per hour. They have a white chest, dark gray head and wings, and fluffy striped legs. When they are flying their wing span has a distinct angled shape. They bend their wings back toward their tails to create a more aerodynamic form. Although they are a modest sized bird of prey, they are a territorial species and often attack much larger birds like bald eagles. They can be found at Haystack rock year round, but it is most common to see them in the spring and summer, often perched on the very top of the rock.

Habitat: Peregrine falcons are found all over the world. Along the U.S. West Coast, they are permanent breeding residents. They’re also spotted across the rest of the U.S. either as a visitor in the winter or when they’re just passing through. They can be found in many different habitats including coastlines, forests, mountains, cities, deserts, and valleys.

Nesting: HRAP staff suspect that one peregrine falcon pair nests on the back side of Haystack Rock, but the nesting site is in a location that is not visible from shore. In general, peregrines nest on high cliff ledges or structures like skyscrapers and bridges. They lay 3 to 4 white or light brown eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 32-35 days, and the male delivers prey to the female during incubation and while the chicks are young. As the chicks grow, the female begins to leave the nest and hunt. Fledglings take their first flights around 39 to 49 days after hatching.

Diet: As very skilled hunters, peregrine falcons mostly feed on other birds that they capture while diving through the air. Similar to bald eagles, peregrine falcons in Cannon Beach will prey on the birds living on Haystack Rock. In coastal areas, these falcons typically prey upon seabirds, shorebirds, and ducks, but they have also been sighted hunt birds large birds such as the sandhill crane and even steal prey (like fish) from other raptors. 

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Peregrine falcons experienced mass nesting failure in the mid 20th century due to DDT and other pesticide usage. The US population is still in the process of recovering.

• Because of their large-scale migrations of up to 15,500 miles (about 25,000 km) per year, they earned their name “peregrine” which means “wanderer.”

References: Wildlife Science Center, National Wildlife Federation, Audubon