Birds of Ireland: Peregrine
Peregrine falcon
A peregrine is around 38-50 centimetres long with a wingspan of 90-100 centimetres. They are a scarce breeding species found here all year around on habitats ranging from sea cliffs to quarries and from towns to upland.
The male peregrine is slightly smaller than a rook and a female peregrine is slightly bigger. Both sexes appear similar.
Adult peregrines have slate-grey upperparts and a finely barred underside. Their upper breast and throat are pale and they have a dark 'teardrop' below their eyes.
Juvenile and immature peregrines have dark brown upperparts and a heavily streaked dark brown underside. They also have the dark 'teardrop' below their eyes.
In flight, you should look out for their head pattern, their pointed wings and their stiff-winged flight. They 'stoop' [a high-speed diving technique] by closing their wings and descending at great speed to catch prey.
A peregrine's voice includes a high, irritating squeaking . Their alarm call is a high, drawn-out cry repeated with variable pitch.
Governments have come to realise that we need laws to avoid uncontrolled destruction of our wild creatures and their habitats.
In the Republic of Ireland, birds are protected predominantly under the 1976 Wildlife Act, its subsequent amendments, and a range of related regulations.
In Northern Ireland, the 1985 Wildlife Order and associated legislation plays the same role. This legislation is similar in both parts of the island and is updated as circumstances for our birds and other wildlife continues to change.
- Jim Wilson is a wildlife writer, broadcaster, tour leader, and former chairman of BirdWatch Ireland. He has been involved in the study and conservation of birds in Ireland for more than 45 years, contributing to several major surveys and international projects.
- Mark Carmody is an award-winning wildlife photographer, has a PhD in biochemistry and works as a European patent attorney.
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