[Length 16 (Male) to 20 (Female) in. Wingspan 36 (M) to 44 (F) in.]

This Peregrine Falcon was photographed at Quivira NWR, KS. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC20E II 2.0x Teleconverter (EFL=900mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: May 1, 2007)

[Length 16 (Male) to 20 (Female) in. Wingspan 36 (M) to 44 (F) in.]

This Peregrine Falcon was photographed at Port Aransas, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens (EFL=450mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: February 23, 2008)

[Length 16 (Male) to 20 (Female) in. Wingspan 36 (M) to 44 (F) in.]

This male Peregrine Falcon was photographed at Anahuac NWR, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC20E II 2.0x Teleconverter (EFL=900mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: May 5, 2008)

[Length 16 (Male) to 20 (Female) in. Wingspan 36 (M) to 44 (F) in.]

This male Peregrine Falcon was photographed at Anahuac NWR, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC20E II 2.0x Teleconverter (EFL=900mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: May 5, 2008)

[Length 16 (Male) to 20 (Female) in. Wingspan 36 (M) to 44 (F) in.]

This female Peregrine Falcon was photographed at Anahuac NWR, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC20E II 2.0x Teleconverter (EFL=900mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: May 5, 2008)

[Length 16 (Male) to 20 (Female) in. Wingspan 36 (M) to 44 (F) in.]

This female Peregrine Falcon was photographed at Anahuac NWR, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC20E II 2.0x Teleconverter (EFL=900mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: May 5, 2008)

[Length 16 (Male) to 20 (Female) in. Wingspan 36 (M) to 44 (F) in.]

This Peregrine Falcon in flight was photographed at Lake Balmorhea, Balmorhea, TX. Photo taken with a AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED lens (EFL=450mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: December 20, 2009)

[Length 16 (Male) to 20 (Female) in. Wingspan 36 (M) to 44 (F) in.]

Peregrine Falcons are easily recognized in flight by their large size, long and pointed wings, and "Elvis Presley" sideburns. They are considered to be the fastest animal on earth, reaching speeds of well over 100 miles per hour when they dive or "stoop" on the smaller birds which are their prey. They are almost always found near cliffs (on which they nest) either along coastal areas or near wetlands of some kind. Peregrine Falcons suffered heavy losses in eastern North America during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s due to pesticides (primarily DDT), which caused eggs with thin shells to be laid. Indeed, a sighting of a Peregrine during those times would warrant an entry on the local rare bird alert. Western and Alaskan populations were generally unaffected by this. The eastern populations are recovering due to the ban of harmful pesticides, and captive breeding and reintroduction programs sponsored by organizations such as Cornell University. Today, it is possible to see as many as 50 of these magnificent birds of prey in a day at hawk watch migration points such as Cape May, New Jersey. This immature was photographed flying overhead during fall migration at Cape May, New Jersey. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: September 1988)