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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing Article Summaries |
The Peregrine Falcon
By Raven Parker The peregrine falcon is a beautiful bird, and is interesting to learn about. Its wingspan measures between 35-46 inches; the body length ranges from 13-19 inches; and they weigh 20-35 ounces. Females are about 30% larger than males; otherwise the sexes are similar in appearance. This type of falcon breeds on all continents, except Antarctica. This falcon was a native of the East, and bred in Maine. They live on cliffs, buildings and bridges. They eat small birds and rodents like rats, mice and squirrels. The peregrine falcon mates for life, and finds his or her mate each year. The peregrine falcon can race up to 200 miles per hour when catching its prey. After World War II, chemicals, especially DDT, along with carelessness from hiking and rock climbing, helped to nearly exterminate the falcon. In the early 1960's DDT was banned for use because of the death of the peregrine falcon. Eventually people reintroduced young peregrine falcons to New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Soon after in 1999 the peregrine falcon was taken off the endangered species list. To this day the peregrine falcon can be found nesting on the cliffs in Maine with clutches containing 3-4 eggs. Both the male and female falcons take turns sitting on the eggs, but most of the time the female will sit on them for about 6 weeks until they hatch. Both the male and female falcons will feed the young until they are able to fly and catch prey on their own. 
Although the peregrine falcon is coming back strong, we can still be careful by using only approved paths when hiking along cliffs or climbing, and by not using unapproved chemicals in the falcons' habitats. With all of us being careful we will make a giant difference in the future success of the falcon surviving for generations to come in Maine. Raven Parker is in the fourth grade at Belgrade Central School. She is a member of Green Fusion, a group of environmentally active students at the school in grades 3 to 5. | ||