This is the second of the Birds of Silvermine Series.
Although the Peregrine Falcon can be found anywhere in the world (except for the extreme polar regions) and they have a large global population there are currently only just over 400 breeding pairs within South Africa. They usually nest on rocky ledges in mountains but have adapted to the urban environment using quarries and high infrastructures as nesting sites.
Most of the southern African population (the subspecies Falco peregrinus minor) is resident and sedentary, however the migrant Falco peregrinus calidus may also be present in the region in the period from October-March, and can often be found in more open habitats than its resident counterpart.
Coloration is a bluish grey above, with black bars on the white to yellowish white underparts. Adult peregrines range from about 36 to 49 cm in length.
Strong and fast, they hunt by flying high and then diving at their prey. Attaining tremendous speeds of more than 320 km per hour, they strike with clenched talons and kill by impact. Their prey includes ducks and a wide variety of songbirds and shorebirds
It sometimes flies close to the cliff face to flush birds and then chase them, and it may even rob the nests of cliff-nesting birds. On the whole about a quarter of its hunts are successful, based on two different South African studies.
During the breeding season the care and defence of the nest is primarily left to the female while the male spends the day hunting and providing food for the female and chicks. It is for this reason that the female is substantially larger than the male. Pairs that have selected a nest site return to the same location over many years. The nest is a simple scrape and the clutch is three or four reddish brown eggs, and incubation lasts about a month. The young fledge in five to six weeks.
Peregrine falcons have many adaptations for hunting. Their nostrils, for example, guide shock waves of air to stop the high pressure damaging their lungs while they dive. A natural design so fascinating, it inspired the design of the first jet engines!
They have excellent binocular vision, eight times better than that of a human. They can see prey from more than 3 km away. They have a third eyelid, which spreads tears and clears debris away to protect their eyes without obstructing their vision during a stoop.
Peregrines can see most clearly with their head turned at an angle, which is why peregrine falcons usually fly towards their prey in a curve – this also helps them fly faster, as it reduces drag.
Away from the nest, peregrine falcons are usually solitary and may travel widely. The name ‘peregrine’ actually means ‘wanderer’ or ‘pilgrim’.
Acknowledgments: britannica.com, biodiversityexplorer, Kevin Shaw, OneKindPlanet
Take the path at the trailhead S 34° 06.018 E 18° 26.020 to find the 5 bird caches along this route.
This cache is at the base of the large old protea tree among rocks. BYOP