Peregrine falcons, which feed primarily on waterfowl and shorebirds, are best found along rivers, lakeshores and coastlines. Nevertheless, they inhabit mountainous areas as well and are known to consume a wide variety of birds; indeed, in large cities, they nest on skyscrapers and feast on pigeons.
Yesterday afternoon, as I walked through our backyard, the songbirds in our trees suddenly became agitated and flew off in various directions. Before I could locate the cause of their distress, a large falcon streaked above the treetops at a high rate of speed, disappearing beyond our property. Based on its size, its plumage and its hunting style, it clearly was a peregrine falcon.
Those observed in the American Heartland during the autumn migration are likely arriving from Canada, the Great Lakes Region or isolated locations along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and will winter along the Gulf Coast, in Mexico or as far south as South America.
