Each month we will feature one of the many birds you will have the chance to see on one of John Young's birdng tours. The descriptions are taken from John Young's own observations from over 50 years experience in the field.

This month's feature bird is the Peregrine Falcon which can be found on the Kimberley and the Six Grasswrens Tours.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco pereginus)

Peregrine Falcon (female in flight near nest - Charters Towers, QLD)

General Information: The Peregrine Falcon is one of the fastest living creatures on earth. It has been clocked at 395 kilometres per hour in a stoop. When it sets its sight on a pigeon or such like flying across an open space-there is little chance of it escaping as this living projectile plunges from above at lightening speeds, hitting its prey almost unawears.

Like all diurnal raptors, of which there are 24 species in Australia, the female is the larger of the sexes. She is called the falcon and he is called the tiersel. Because of his size and less bulk, he is much faster than the female

This magnificent bird of prey is one of 6 species of falcon that occurs within Australia and it is only exceeded in size by its close cousin the Black Falcon, that prefers open plains and water courses where it hunts for food.

Peregrines mostly live in pairs and stay together for life unless they lose their partner. Cliff faces is where this bird is mostly found, especially during the breeding season from August to December. A nest site can be occupied for decades or even centuries by peregrines and the tell-tale signs of white wash or excreta is often visible on the cliff face through binoculars from kilometres away.

Peregrines live throughout the Australian mainland, wherever plentiful food and nest sites occur. These are mostly cliff faces but they will also use old nests of other raptors such as Wedge-tailed Eagles or hollow trees and ledges on tall buildings in the centre of cities.

This bird has been a prized possession by falconers almost since the beginning of the human race because of the symbol of power of such a proud bird.

However, the poison DDT took its toll for many years during the last century as it fed upon other species that came into contact with this deadly poison. Fortunately now this poison is banned and the Peregrine reigns supreme once more.

Peregrine Falcon nest site (North Queensland)

Breeding: Peregrine Falcons begin to occupy their nest site for weeks in advance to actually laying eggs. The pair begins to roost close together on the cliff face near or in the nest chamber and the female is rarely far away from the nest site at this time.

During this period, which is usually late July to late August, the male does most of the hunting, bringing prey to the female at the cliff site where she feeds.

It is rare to visit a nest site in the early stages without the pair creating quite a racket as they fly past at high speeds in attempt to chase off intruders.

When eggs are laid, the female is fed entirely by the male as she alone broods the eggs until they hatch about 36 days later. Most food is passed to the female who takes it back to the nest. Chicks fledge in about 6 weeks.

Nest: Eggs are laid in a small depression, scratched out by the female at the back of a small cave or ledge on a cliff face. Other sites include old nests of other raptors, particularly Wedge Tailed Eagles, and frequently in large hollow trees standing in or near water. In most cities throughout the world ledges on tall buildings are also used.

Peregrine Falconr eggs & nest (North Queensland)

Eggs: Two to four usually three 53 x 40mm – rich reddish brown to buff, some times heavily blotched and spotted with dark bluish-grey and lilac, but more commonly finely sprinkled with reddish-brown uniformly over the entire shell.