[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ome generous soul left a very nice hard cover book in my mailbox: “On The Wing: To the edge of the earth with the peregrine falcon.” I’ve just started reading the book, but it did prompt me to do a bit of research on the peregrine falcon, also known in Latin as Falco peregrinus, or “wandering falcon.”
And this is a bird that wanders, having a worldwide range more extensive than that of any other bird. It inhabits all the continents except Antarctica and reaches many of the oceanic island groups. Most of the birds seen in Texas are migrants on their way somewhere else, but a few breed in the rugged Chisos and Guadalupe mountains.
This falcon eats mostly other birds, especially doves and pigeons, which it captures on the wing. It is one of the fastest of all birds, diving at speeds of 150 to 200 miles per hour. In level flight, it scoots along at about 60 miles per hour.
While a few birds over-winter along the Texas coast, most peregrine falcons spend the cold months as far south as Argentina.
A killer pesticide almost wiped out this noble bird, but since DDT was banned, the peregrine has made a slow recovery. Today, it is a favorite of those who practice falconry, using the peregrine as a lethal hunter of other birds.
P. S. I am happy to report my first hummingbird showed up March 20 – a female black-chin.
