Nature's Nursery - Shiloh - Injured Peregrine Falcon

Peregrines are the fastest birds; able to dive at speeds of 200 MPH and in level flight they can achieve speeds of about 60 MPH.

Peregrines are raptors (birds of prey) about the size and weight of crows with a wingspan of 36-44 inches. As with all raptors, females are larger than males (about one-third larger), weighing 32-34 ounces, compared to the males' 18 - 22 ounces.
Both males and females have similar coloration these falcons start out chocolate brown with lighter streaks on their bellies, and a dark blue tail that is lightly barred. Adults have slate-gray backs and barred breasts speckled with black, and a black stripe under each eye.
These falcons usually nest on a ledge in high places such as cliffs and bluffs overlooking rivers and lakes and where the nest is protected from predators. In cities, peregrines nest on window ledges of tall buildings or bridges. These areas give them a view of the surrounding area.
The female peregrine typically lays three to five eggs in early spring. The male feeds the incubating female. The eggs hatch in about 33 days. Both the male and female care for the eggs, turning them regularly. Peregrine pairs mate for life and regularly return to the same nest every year.
Baby peregrines are called eyases (fresh from the nest). When they hatch they are sparsely covered with white down, weigh only about two ounces. The eyases have a small white bump on their beaks that helps them break out of their shells. It gradually disappears, as the bird gets older. The young falcons leave the nest (fledge) when they're about 45 days old. Only about 4 out of 10 birds will survive the first year. Peregrines can live to be 15 years old.
The Peregrine Falcon frequents open areas like marshes, fields, swamps, and tidal areas. They eat pigeons, starlings, blackbirds, ducks, flickers, jays and doves, which they catch in the air. The peregrine falcon eats a wide variety of small birds such as starlings, blackbirds pigeons, seabirds, shorebirds and songbirds. Peregrines hunt by diving at their prey from far above and catching on the wing, usually striking it with its talons and knocking the bird out of the air or killing it immediately.
Peregrine Falcons are found all over the world except for Antarctica. It is a member of the Falconid family, which includes the American kestrel, gyrfalcon, merlin, and prairie falcon. Falconid's are distinguished by their long pointed wings, narrow tails, facial masks and notched beaks.
Except in areas, where pigeons and starlings are available throughout the winter, peregrines are strictly migratory.