Peregrine Falcon

Scientific Name: Falco peregrinus

Malay Name: Rajawali Kembara

Chinese Name: 游隼

Range: Found throughout the northern Holarctic with some populations winter south to South America, Africa, Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, southern China, South Korea, southern Japan and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: tundrius, pealei, anatum, cassini, peregrinus, calidus, japonensis, brookei, peregrinator, furuitii, madens, minor, radama, ernesti, macropus, nesiotes, babylonicus, pelegrinoides.

Local Subspecies: calidus (migrant), ernesti (local)

Size: 38-48 cm

Identification: The migrant subspecies has slaty-grey upperparts, broad blackish moustachial streak and whitish underparts with dark bars on flanks, belly to undertail coverts. Juvenile resembles adult but has warmer brown upperparts and buffish underparts with dark streaks. Subspecies ernesti is smaller and has darker upperparts and solid blackish head-sides.

Similar looking species: Amur Falcon, Eurasian Hobby

Habitat: Open country, secondary growth, farmland, mangroves and urban areas.

Behaviour/Ecology:

Local Status: Uncommon migrant and rare visitor

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2021)

Location: Any suitable habitat like Pulau Ubin, Sungei Buloh, Kranji Marsh, Seletar Dam, Singapore Botanic Gardens and Telok Blangah Hill Park.

Featured articles:

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2013 to Jun 2023
Peak week Nov 12-Nov 18
Early date 02 Jul 2018
Late date 27 Jun 2015
 
The most common falcon species in Singapore, and one of the most widespread raptors globally.
Peregrine Falcon (subspecies ernesti) at Seletar Dam. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Peregrine Falcon at Kranji Loop. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Peregrine Falcon at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Peregrine Falcon at Kranji Loop. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Peregrine Falcon at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Peregrine Falcon at Kranji Loop. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Peregrine Falcon at Kranji Loop. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Peregrine Falcon at Changi. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Montage of a flying Peregrine Falcon over Bukit Timah. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Peregrine Falcon at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap
External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Peregrine Falcon)

References:

BirdLife International. (2021). Falco peregrinus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T45354964A206217909.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Peregrine Falcon. Retrieved on April 18, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/peregrine-falcon.

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