Falco - Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, American Kestrel, Gyrfalcon, Aplomado Falcon, Prairie Falcon, Saker Falcon, (Paperback)

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 46. Chapters: Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, American Kestrel, Gyrfalcon, Aplomado Falcon, Prairie Falcon, Saker Falcon, Barbary Falcon, Mauritius Kestrel, Peale's Falcon, Hierofalcon, Eurasian Hobby, Lanner Falcon, Bat Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, New Zealand Falcon, Madagascar Kestrel, Eleonora's Falcon, Indian Ocean kestrels, Red-necked Falcon, Red-footed Falcon, Greater Kestrel, Nankeen Kestrel, Amur Falcon, Laggar Falcon, Dickinson's Kestrel, Seychelles Kestrel, Grey Kestrel, Altai Falcon, Reunion Kestrel, Sooty Falcon, Brown Falcon, Grey Falcon, Fox Kestrel, Black Falcon, Banded Kestrel, Australian Hobby, Taita Falcon, Oriental Hobby, African Hobby, Spotted Kestrel. Excerpt: The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache." Typical of bird-eating raptors, Peregrine Falcons are sexually dimorphic, with females being considerably larger than males. The Peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching over 325 km/h (202 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop, making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom. The Peregrine's breeding range includes land regions from the Arctic tundra to the tropics. It can be found nearly everywhere on Earth, except extreme polar regions, very high mountains, and most tropical rainforests; the only major ice-free landmass from which it is entirely absent is New Zealand. This makes it the world's most widespread bird of prey. Both the English and scientific names of this species mean "wandering falcon," referring to the migratory habits of many northern populations. Experts recognize 17 to 19 subspecies which vary in appearance and range; there is di...