Populations had plummeted 90 percent in 40 years. The population in 1974 hit a low of 324 nesting pairs. In 1970, the American and Arctic subspecies were listed as endangered. Permitted individuals raise and breed the birds. Current federal regulations allow the capture of wild peregrine falcon chicks in several western states, including Alaska. In medieval Europe, falconry was very popular and your station in life determined what bird you could use for hunting: A king could use a gyrfalcon, an Earl a peregrine, a yeoman a goshawk, and a priest a sparrow hawk. In 384 BC, Aristotle made reference to the sport in Europe.

The sport of falconry, or hunting with trained falcons, has roots as far back as 2200 BC when the birds were used to hunt by the Heian dynasty in China. In the wild, peregrine falcons live about 15 years. The young fledge 35 to 40 days after hatching, although the parents may continue to feed them for another few weeks. Baby falcons, called 'eyasses,' are completely helpless but grow to 10 times their birth size in three weeks. The female parent stays with the young while the male keeps them fed. The female incubates the eggs while the male defends the nest and hunts for food. Peregrine falcons lay one clutch of three to four eggs each year. Once established, the same pair of peregrine falcons will reuse a given nest site year after year. Instead of using a nest, they lay their eggs in a 'scrape,' or a protected rocky depression. Peregrine falcons nest on rock ledges on high steep cliffs, often under an overhang. DDT has been banned in the U.S., but some falcons migrate to places in South America where the toxin is still used. Weakening eggshells and decreasing productivity are common effects of pollutants. Organochlorides and other toxic pollutants create hazards for the birds. Eagles may harass them at their nesting areas but their biggest threat comes from man. Peregrine falcons are a top-level predator in our coastal ecosystem. If the bird is not killed, the falcon will finish it off with a bite to the neck using a special notch in the bill that all falcons have. The falcon hits its prey with talons and beak forward, killing on impact. Flying high above their prey, falcons go into a stoop or dive reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Peregrine falcons specialize in aerial capture of birds. Peregrines can also sometimes be found in the Cheval Narrows, on the east side of Matushka, and in the Beehive Islands.

On the bay tour, look for peregrine falcons at Emerald Cove, and the south sides of the Resurrection Peninsula and Barwell Island. Many captive-bred reintroductions around North America are Peale's, therefore this subspecies range extends across North America. This type of migration is a response to food availability. When food gets scarce, irruptive migration may occur. Although the Arctic and American subspecies migrate 8,500 miles south into Argentina and Chile, most of the Peale's stay in Alaska. The Peale's peregrine falcon resides on the coast from Washington to Alaska. Peregrine falcons weigh one-and-a-half pounds, and are approximately 16 inches long with a wingspan of about 41 inches. Called 'nature's finest flying machine,' peregrine falcons have been clocked traveling 220 miles per hour. The bird's most obvious characteristic in the field is its speed. The Peale's is the largest and darkest plumed of the peregrines. Adults have a blue-grey back, and pale undersides with dark barring. The scientific name Falco peregrinus means 'falcon wanderer.' The peregrine falcon's distinctive dark head and mustache give it a hooded appearance. Only the Peale's occurs in the Seward area. There are three subspecies of peregrine falcon: Peale's, Arctic (also called 'tundra'), and American. Thoresen Falco peregrinus pealei Basic Info

Arctic peregrin falcon