Vladimir Yakovlevich Pavlov created this peregrine falcon taxidermy mount in 1986. The peregrine falcon is a bird of prey in the Falconidae family. It can be found nearly everywhere on Earth, including numerous islands, except extreme polar regions. According to scientists, peregrine falcons easily adapt to their habitat, hence their very wide distribution.
For over 2,000 years, these birds have been revered for their strength and agility. Peregrine falcons were the favorite hunting birds in ancient Egypt and China. The falcon’s strong, sharp yellow talons allow it to capture prey.
Peregrine falcons can attack game much stronger and larger than themselves. A peregrine falcon is considered a large species in its family. It has a body length of 35 to 50 cm and a wingspan from 80 to 120 cm.
Females are almost twice as large as males: females weigh from 900 to 1,500 grams, and males — from 450 to 750 grams. Like all birds of prey, peregrine falcons have very sharp eyesight. The bird has a distinct, heavyset chest and a short curved beak. Adult plumage on back is dark gray with indistinct horizontal bars.
Juvenile plumage tends to be less contrasted. These predators mainly nest on precipitous cliffs near water bodies; they also use old or abandoned stick nests in tall trees from other species. In addition, peregrine falcons choose church towers and tall buildings in cities for nesting.
Peregrine falcons are usually sedentary, but some populations, especially in the Far North, occasionally migrate a relatively short distance. The raptor feeds on various small birds, amphibians, insects, small mammals, such as squirrels, hares or bats. Their favorite prey are wild pigeons.
The peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest animal. This bird can accelerate up to 200 km per hour, and its diving speed during flight can reach more than 320 km per hour. In the wild, peregrine falcons hunt from above and spot their prey from hundreds of meters away. They swoop down to catch it and, when diving, they fold in their wings and draw in their legs to minimize wind resistance. The peregrine falcon is listed in the Red Book of Russia.
For over 2,000 years, these birds have been revered for their strength and agility. Peregrine falcons were the favorite hunting birds in ancient Egypt and China. The falcon’s strong, sharp yellow talons allow it to capture prey.
Peregrine falcons can attack game much stronger and larger than themselves. A peregrine falcon is considered a large species in its family. It has a body length of 35 to 50 cm and a wingspan from 80 to 120 cm.
Females are almost twice as large as males: females weigh from 900 to 1,500 grams, and males — from 450 to 750 grams. Like all birds of prey, peregrine falcons have very sharp eyesight. The bird has a distinct, heavyset chest and a short curved beak. Adult plumage on back is dark gray with indistinct horizontal bars.
Juvenile plumage tends to be less contrasted. These predators mainly nest on precipitous cliffs near water bodies; they also use old or abandoned stick nests in tall trees from other species. In addition, peregrine falcons choose church towers and tall buildings in cities for nesting.
Peregrine falcons are usually sedentary, but some populations, especially in the Far North, occasionally migrate a relatively short distance. The raptor feeds on various small birds, amphibians, insects, small mammals, such as squirrels, hares or bats. Their favorite prey are wild pigeons.
The peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest animal. This bird can accelerate up to 200 km per hour, and its diving speed during flight can reach more than 320 km per hour. In the wild, peregrine falcons hunt from above and spot their prey from hundreds of meters away. They swoop down to catch it and, when diving, they fold in their wings and draw in their legs to minimize wind resistance. The peregrine falcon is listed in the Red Book of Russia.
