![]() ![]() This species is one of the most widely distributed of all birds occurring sporadically as a breeder throughout all major regions of the world except Antarctica, the Amazon Basin, the Sahara Desert, and most of the steppes of central and eastern Asia. This can be done with one or two site visits, remote cameras, and by using observations of people who work in these buildings. Also, the two nest sites on buildings in downtown Atlanta should be monitored and nesting success tracked. Helicopter surveys of suitable cliff habitat in the mountains from March through May to identify any nesting activity. These stoops have been estimated at nearly 320 kilometers per hour (200 mph), giving the peregrine the distinction of being the fastest bird in the world. When feeding, these falcons commonly take their prey by swift pursuit or a very fast "stoop" ending in a powerful punch from the talons that sends the prey tumbling to the ground. The nesting season in Georgia may start as early as late February and young usually fledge by late May. They typically mate for life, but will find a replacement if a mate is lost. Peregrines usually do not attempt to nest during their first year of life and may wait until they are 3 or 4 years old. Young remain dependent upon their parents for several more weeks as they develop flight and hunting skills. The adults share in caring for the young, which leave the nest at about 35 days. Normally 2-4 eggs are laid in this depression and incubated by both adults for 33-35 days before they hatch. The peregrine's nest is usually a shallow depression on a cliff ledge that is scraped in the substrate (i.e., dirt, sand, gravel, or other loose material), but they also nest in nest boxes, on platforms, and in other places on buildings, bridges, and smokestacks. Dietīirds caught on the wing, including pigeons, shorebirds, various songbirds, and occasionally waterfowl. A few individuals that migrate through Georgia winter along our coast while most move further south, some as far as southern South America. During migration this species can be found almost anywhere in the state, but birds tend to concentrate along the coast. There have been no documented cases of peregrines nesting on cliffs in the state since the early 1940s, but there are two sites in Atlanta where they nest on buildings. In recent decades peregrines have adapted to new habitats provided by cities, and many pairs now nest on city buildings, bridges, and smokestacks and forage in surrounding urban areas for pigeons and other birds. Natural nest sites, known as eyries, are normally located on inaccessible cliff ledges where the young are safe from predators. Adults also differ from the peregrine by having a buffy-colored breast and immature and adult birds have yellow, orange, or red eyes, unlike the dark eyes of the peregrine. These hawks are easily distinguished from the peregrine by their relatively short, rounded wings versus the long pointed wings of the falcon. Both the sharp-shinned hawk ( Accipiter striatus) and Cooper's hawk ( Accipiter cooperii) are often mistaken for a peregrine falcon due to their overall appearance and rapid and direct flight. Kestrel flight is rather weak and buoyant, unlike the fast and direct flight of the peregrine, and kestrels often hover several meters above the ground before diving to the ground to catch a mouse. Male kestrels have bluish-gray upper wings while females have reddish-brown streaking on the wings. The American kestrel ( Falco sparverius), while similar in shape and overall appearance, is much smaller (23 cm in length) and is much lighter in color than the peregrine with a reddish-brown back with dark horizontal barring, white to buff breast with brown to gray markings or streaking, a white vent area, gray to blue-gray cap, and whitish face with two black vertical stripes. Its "mustache" stripe is much fainter than that of the peregrine and can be absent in some birds. ![]() ![]() 40 cm in length), and tends to be darker in overall color. ![]() The Merlin ( Falco columbarius) can be very similar in appearance to the peregrine, but is substantially smaller (25 cm vs. Immature birds are browner and heavily marked with vertical streaking on the breast. Females are noticeably larger than males. The cap and nape are black, and a black mustache extends below the eye forming a distinctive dark helmet. Adult birds are slate gray on the back and have a light breast and abdomen with dark horizontal markings. The tail is long and narrow with alternating light and dark lateral banding. This raptor is 38-53 cm (15-21 in) in length with long pointed wings and a wingspan of up to 112 cm (44 in). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |