Interview With a Falcon

Northwest Wildlife Online

AN INTERVIEW WITH A FALCON

John M. Regan

They’ve been recorded at dive speeds of over two hundred miles per hour. They are easily the fastest animal on earth. So how do you slow one down long enough to take a photo of it, let alone talk to? Easy. Go to the World Center for Birds of Prey in Idaho and ask for Bill Rath. Bill has a friend named Jess, a male Peregrine Falcon that sit patiently and let you ask all the questions you like. And bring your camera, too. Jess does not mind photos in the least. Bill, of course, does most of the talking for Jess, but this falcon does occasionally let loose with a very expressive opinion of its own.

Thanks to a spate of decidedly inclement Idaho weather I had the awesome privilege of being an audience of one for Bill and Jess in the live presentation auditorium inside the World Center for Birds of Prey. For about an hour Bill talked about the wonder of raptors in general and Peregrines in particular as Jess perched regally on Bill’s well-protected hand. They are old friends these two, but a close look at Jess’ talons makes it obvious what damage they’d cause to exposed human flesh.

Peregrine Falcon and Bill Falcon Talons

Bill Rath, raptor expert at the World Center for Birds of Prey and Jess, a Peregrine Falcon. Talons - the business end of the falcon.

Peregrines are not only fast. They are hardy, tough, and adaptable. They are found throughout the world from the Middle East and Central Asia to the Snake River Canyon in Idaho and beyond. About the only continent they have not conquered so far is Antarctica. Perched atop buildings in New York City or swooping through remote valleys throughout the world the Peregrine family of falcons (about 17 or so subspecies) are the most widespread bird of prey on earth. Yet despite this worldwide distribution relatively few people have had the experience of seeing one of these birds in action and we nearly most of the entire North American population just thirty years ago due to pesticides. The Peregrine Fund brought them back from the brink through a captive breeding program so successful that the American Peregrine has been removed from the endangered species list in 1999.

Birds in general are fascinating. Their color, intelligence, physiology, behaviors, and likely lineage from dinosaurs contribute to an endless catalogue of exciting attributes. The falcon’s claim to avian fame are its well-known speed and hunting abilities, characteristics which captured human imagination many, many centuries. As far as we know these birds were first trained thousands of years ago (some sources claim as long ago as 10,000 years ago) somewhere in the Middle East. Indeed, even today no Saudi prince worth his oil revenue would be without his own falconry and I have seen firsthand the popularity of the sport throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.

Peregrine Falcon Falcon Beak Gyrfalcon

In these close ups of the Peregrine Falcon its streamlined shape and superior vision are obvious. But look closely at the curved and hooked shape of the beak. See that sharp, "M" shape at the bottom? It is believed to be a special adaptation designed to break or sever the neck of prey. On the right is the smaller, Gyrfalcon (pronounced "jeer-falcon").

The peregrine’s normal prey are pigeons and smaller waterfowl especially ducks; a preference that has earned them the nickname “Duck Hawk.” Of all falcons the peregrines are the fastest and have been accurately clocked many times at speeds beyond 200 mph. According to Bill, an astonishing 242 mph is the most reliable world record. (This measurement thanks to a daring human during free fall parachutist drop.) This incredible speed is the key ingredient behind their famous hunting technique. Once a prey bird is spotted from above the falcon goes into a head first dive that quickly accelerates due to gravity and the streamlined design of the peregrine. Other falcons use this technique, but peregrines are the all time speed champions. At the last moment the talons are brought forward and the falcon slams into its victim with tremendous force. The target is knocked out of the sky and plummets to earth whereupon the falcon pounces on it again and locks its talons in to ensure death. Most prey birds are probably too stunned to recover anyway.

This collision style hunting technique demands a specialized physiology. The bird must not only be exceptionally strong and equipped with appendages designed for the kill, but also light enough to fly. Peregrine bones, like that of all birds are hollow, but the falcon has a specially ribbed, reinforced skeleton that provides superb, yet very lightweight strength. As Bill points out the peregrine falcon is so well designed its feathers actually outweigh its skeleton. Now that’s some sophisticated bioengineering!

Living in captivity, Jess consumes a diet of mice and chicken carefully controlled to maintain the bird’s weight. Not that Jess has to hunt for his dinner, but he does earn his living by posing for these presentations and who ever heard of a chubby falcon? Sitting close to this bird is a remarkable experience. Gun metal gray above with lighter colored feathers underneath and built like a sleek fighter jet the peregrine just looks extraordinarily fast. Wide, alert eyes that arguably possess the finest vision on earth look out over a short sharp beak that arcs like a fishhook and is just about as sharp. Pure black talons jut out from the peregrine’s pale yellow limbs and curl into hard scimitar weapons. This is one impressive animal.

Peregrines range from 15 to 21 inches in length; females are larger than males. They mate for life and lay 3 – 4 eggs but do not built nests, preferring to scrape out a small bowl shaped hole in the ground or whatever substrate they are on. This kind of nest is called a “scrape.” Life span in the wild is about fifteen years.

The next time you happen to be out wandering around some remote desert valley in Tajikistan or in a deep ravine between New York City skyscrapers, stop and look up. If you see some incredibly fast feathered thing ripping down from the sky you may count yourself fortunate enough to have seen a Peregrine Falcon. Or you can visit the World Center for Birds of Prey. That might be easier.

HOOAH

Jack

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