Do Falcons Migrate?

Author:

Jack

Published:

June 7, 2022

Updated:

February 10, 2023

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Falcons can be migratory or non-migratory. Some live year-round in Alaska, the Midwest, the Northeast, the Southwest, and along the western coastline. Other peregrine falcons migrate from South America and the Gulf Coast to the Alaskan tundra each year.

Contents show

Are Falcons Migratory?

Some falcons migrate while others do not. This change in behavior is often due to differences in food sources and habitat. For example, migratory peregrine populations in colder climates tend to migrate south during the winter to take advantage of the milder weather.

This allows migratory peregrines to find more food and better hunting grounds.

Tundra-nesting falcons and arctic peregrine falcons spend winter on wintering grounds in Central and South America. They will return to their nesting area in late February and early March. Some will travel along the East Coast.

On the other hand, some peregrines and bald eagles usually do not migrate because they have access to a good food source and prey base all year round.

As a result, they are able to stay in one place and don’t need to travel long distances in order to find what they need. Some may still travel but in short distances near their breeding range.

Padre Island, on the Gulf Coast of Texas, is an important bird stopover site for many peregrine falcons en route to eastern North America on their spring migration.

The migration routes to their wintering sites may differ each year depending on climate change, long-term memory, and the age of the falcons.

Ultimately, the decision to migrate or not is up to each individual falcon and is often dependent on the resources available to them.

Do Falcons Travel in Packs?

Many animals migrate in large groups, but falcons are not one of them. While it may seem like they are flying in packs, they are actually just taking advantage of the same optimal migration conditions.

Falcons are very sensitive to changes in weather and will only travel when the conditions are just right. Depending on the weather condition, they may decide to stay or migrate. It is not uncommon for a large number of falcons to take to the skies at the same time.

However, they are not coordinating their efforts and will eventually disperse once they reach their destination.

So while it may look like adult peregrine falcons travel in packs, they are actually just lone birds taking advantage of favorable conditions and just happen to travel together.

Conclusion on Do Peregrine Falcon Populations Migrate

So, do all falcons migrate? The answer is yes and no. Some falcons migrate while others stay put. Migration patterns vary depending on the species of a falcon and the conditions in its environment.

Migrating peregrines are long-distance migrants. They can travel long distances, sometimes even between continents, to get to their breeding grounds.

Some of these North American birds spend their breeding season high in the Arctic tundra. They spend winter in Central or South America.

FAQs About Falcons

Is the Peregrine Falcon the Fastest Diving Bird?

Yes, the peregrine falcon is considered the fastest diving bird. A falcon once dived at 186 mph (300 kilometers an hour).

Where Do Peregrine Falcons Nest?

The peregrine falcon lives on every continent except Antarctica and makes its home everywhere from Papua New Guinea to the desert Southwest to Chicago skyscrapers to Western Europe to North Africa.

Peregrine falcons typically nest on a cliff ledge overlooking rivers and lakes, coastal areas, and mountain valleys. They will also use the hollows of broken-off tree snags or old stick nests of other large bird where the females can lay eggs.

Peregrine falcons are very adaptable birds of prey, and their nest sites can be found in a wide variety of locations. In addition to cliffs and trees, they have been known to make their nesting sites in urban environments such as bridges and tall buildings.

Most of the time, falcons avoid creating a nest site near potential predators such as golden eagles and great horned owls.

Regardless of where they build their nests, peregrine falcons are fiercely territorial and will defend their territory from intruders.

How Far Can a Peregrine Falcon See?

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is one of the most feared predators in the skies. With its powerful wings and sharp talons, a peregrine falcon can take down prey much larger than itself.

But what allows the peregrine falcon to be such an effective hunter is its keen eyesight. Peregrine falcons can see up to eight times better than a human, and they have excellent depth perception. This allows them to spot their prey species from a great distance and then accurately calculate the speed and direction of their target.

As a result, peregrine falcons can strike with incredible accuracy, making them one of the most feared predators in the animal kingdom.

What Is the Annual Survival Rate of Breeding Peregrine Falcons?

Peregrine falcons have a 63% to 100% survival rate for females, and 50% to 89% for males.

How Do You Spot a Young Falcon?

Young birds have brownish, darker plumage. Young peregrines have dark brown stripes on their breasts and pointed wings.

When Do Young Falcons Attempt to Fly?

Young falcons will make their first attempt at flying around 6 weeks after being hatched.

Are Peregrine Falcons Excellent Predators?

Peregrine falcons eat more bird species as avian prey than any other raptor in North America, including more than 300 species of shorebirds.

During migration, peregrines primarily feed on other birds they catch in flight but many birds winter in both Iowa and Minnesota or near coastal marshes and urban areas. Some falcons feed on small mammals as well.

Do Breeding Pairs of Falcons Live Together?

A breeding pair of falcons only live together during their mating season which often includes courtship displays. After their mating season, male and female peregrine falcons usually spend most of their time hunting medium-sized birds and other species alone which make up the majority of the peregrine’s diet.

Are Peregrine Falcons Still Endangered?

Peregrines had almost been locally extinct in the Eastern United States. Fortunately, the reproductive success of peregrines has increased over the years. They have been removed from the endangered species list in 1999.

How Much Do Peregrines Weigh?

Male peregrines can weigh as little as 450 grams or 1 pound while females weigh as much as 1,500 grams or 3.3 pounds.

About the author

Jack

Jack Taylor is a passionate bird enthusiast and seasoned avian biologist, making bird-watching and nature conservation not just his career, but his life’s calling. With his extensive field knowledge and knack for storytelling, Jack translates the wonders of avian life into captivating posts. His blog is a testament to his love for feathered friends and his commitment to sharing their fascinating world with others.

2 responses to “Do Falcons Migrate?”

Jay L. Stern

July 15, 2023

We have a nesting pair of peregrine falcons in a tree in our front yard (North Hills, CA). They have returned to this tree for several years. This year we found a fledgling falcon on the ground. It was attempting to fly, but wasn’t there, just yet. We called animal control and were instructed to leave it alone unless it remained by morning — then to call back. I was concerned that it would become dehydrated, so we put out water. Later, it hopped our fence and was in an area where it could be injured by vehicles or passers-by. When I approached the bird, it spread its wings defiantly. Nevertheless, I donned a pair of thick, leather gloves and offered my arm as a roost. The young falcon accepted the offer and allowed me to carry it back into our yard. Thereafter, it no longer appeared to fear me. When evening approached, I offered the falcon a piece of turkey, held in long tongs to avoid contact, which it accepted. All the while, we observed at least one adult falcon circling the area. By nightfall, the falcon (which I named “Ford”) had managed to flutter up to our roof top. The next morning, it was gone. However, both it, a possible sibling, and at least one adult have remained in the area. We discovered the remains of a bird — possibly a dove — on the ground below the nest. Now, these falcons appear to have staked out the area as their territory.

I regularly provided bird seed for wild birds. They would watch me as I placed food in the feeder and came for it as soon as I walked away. Within the last couple of weeks, they stopped visiting. I concluded that the falcons have been hunting the birds and scaring them away. But the food still was being consumed, so if not by the wild birds, then who? No, not the falcons, but the culprit was “Nelson,” the front-yard resident brown squirrel!

We also have just erected a chicken coop in the rear yard, with five chicks — currently about 4 weeks old. They still remain in the house overnight, but are transferred to the coop each morning. We observe Ford, but more often the adult, standing atop a power pole about 30-feet away……watching. The falcons cannot get to the chicks because the coop is secure. Two days ago, the adult flew into the open door of our greenhouse, and couldn’t exit until we opened another door. We are preparing to fence the garden area and provide a top-screening of landscape cloth. This is intended to protect sensitive plants against too much heat, as well as to prevent the falcons from swooping in to attack the chickens when they are old enough to free-range.

It is obvious that my actions are interfering with the natural cycle. Nevertheless, I cannot allow the falcons to have access to our chickens, nor do I want to see the wild birds chased away. Would I be doing more harm than good if I put out meat, such as turkey shreds, hamburger, etc., on the roof-top near the nesting tree? If so, would the falcons even eat the offering, or would they then lose their motivation to hunt?
Jack

July 15, 2023

In general, it is not recommended to interfere with the feeding habits of wild birds of prey such as peregrine falcons. These birds are highly specialized hunters, and their diets in the wild consist almost exclusively of other birds that they catch in flight. While they might accept offerings of meat, doing so could potentially have several negative impacts:

Habituation: Regular feeding can cause falcons to become accustomed to humans, reducing their natural fear. This could potentially make them more vulnerable to harm from less benevolent human interactions. It might also cause them to become overly dependent on human-provided food.

Diet: Falcons have evolved to consume a specific diet. Offering them processed meats such as turkey shreds or hamburger might not provide the same nutritional value as their natural prey. This is especially true for fledglings which are in their critical growth phase.

Hunting skills: Hunting is a crucial skill for birds of prey and one they learn through practice. If they become reliant on easy food sources, they may lose their motivation or ability to hunt, which could have serious consequences if for some reason the provided food source (in this case, you) were to disappear.

Territory invasion: Leaving food on your roof could attract other predators or scavengers to the area. This could cause further disruptions to the local ecology and could potentially lead to conflicts between the falcons and these other animals.

Regarding your chickens, it’s a wise idea to keep them secure from potential predators. Landscape cloth over the garden can deter falcons, but you might also consider a more robust netting material, as falcons are strong birds and could potentially tear through lighter materials. Also, ensure your chickens are fully enclosed, with a roof, to prevent access from above.

As for the bird feeder, the absence of smaller birds could indeed be due to the presence of the falcons, as these raptors can create an “ecology of fear” among smaller species. You may see a return of the smaller birds once the falcon chicks have fledged and the family moves on from their current territory.