Peregrine Falcon

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Peregrine Falcon in the UK

A resident with about 1,750 breeding pairs at the last national survey in 2014. It has recovered from a crash in the 1950s and 1960s caused by farm pesticides. Since then it has spread into lowland England, where pairs now nest on cathedrals, power stations and tower blocks, and the breeding range has almost trebled since the first atlas. Numbers have fallen in parts of the uplands over the same period. It is Green-listed and has special legal protection at the nest.

Where and when to see a Peregrine Falcon

All year. In spring and summer, use a staffed watchpoint: Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales and Symonds Yat Rock in the Wye Valley both have them, and the cathedrals at Derby, Norwich, Salisbury and Chichester run nest cameras or viewing points. In winter, try estuaries and coastal marshes. A sudden panic among waders or pigeons usually means a Peregrine is hunting. Check pylons, church spires and cliff ledges for perched birds.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Cliffs, cathedrals, towers.
Diet: Medium birds.
Field note: Fastest animal alive.

How to identify a Peregrine Falcon

About the size of a crow, with the female clearly larger than the male. The build is compact and heavy-chested. In flight the wings are pointed but broad at the base, and the tail is fairly short, giving an anchor shape. Adults are blue-grey above with a black hood and broad moustache, white cheeks and throat, and fine dark bars below. Juveniles are brown above and streaked below. Level flight is fast with shallow, stiff wingbeats. It soars on flat wings and hunts by stooping from height with wings closed.

Call and song

Near the nest it gives a loud, harsh, scolding 'kek-kek-kek-kek' and a drawn-out wailing call. Away from breeding sites it is mostly silent. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Eurasian Hobby: Hobby is smaller and slimmer with narrow, swift-like wings, streaked underparts and red 'trousers', and is here only from April to October.
• Kestrel: Kestrel is slighter with a long tail and chestnut-brown back, and hovers, which Peregrines do not do.
• Merlin: Merlin is much smaller, about Mistle Thrush size, with a weak moustache and a low, dashing flight.

Related guide UK raptors and owls.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Peregrine Falcon is an Uncommon tier bird, worth +3 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Eleonora's FalconEpic · Mediterranean sea-cliffs
• GyrfalconEpic · Cliffs (rare winter visitor)
• Eurasian HobbyUncommon · Heathland
• MerlinUncommon · Moorland (summer); coast (winter)
• American KestrelLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
• Amur FalconLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)

Peregrine Falcon: quick answers

Where can I see a Peregrine Falcon in the UK?

Most cities now have a pair, so look up at the tallest church, cathedral or office block. Rocky coasts in the west and north hold many more. Organised watchpoints give the best views, with telescopes set up on the birds.

What does a Peregrine Falcon eat?

Birds, caught in the air. Feral and racing pigeons are the main prey in most areas, with waders, ducks, gulls, Starlings and thrushes also taken. City birds hunt at night too, using street lighting to catch migrants passing overhead.

What habitat does Peregrine Falcon live in?

It needs a high, safe ledge to nest on and open air to hunt in. Sea cliffs, inland crags and quarries are the traditional sites. Tall buildings do the same job, which is why the species has moved into towns. A typical adult lives about seven years.

Kit that helps

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