8 The Peregrine Falcon (Falco Peregrinus)

I wrote this story after coordinating the volunteers during the 2018 Falconwatch season. The story is based mostly on true events.

It was truly amazing watching Lily and Ossie raise her boys. They’re such wonderful parents. There were times when I smiled, and there were times when I cried. I felt very sad when we had lost Gage.

The Peregrine Falcon used to be called the duck hawk, which makes Lily’s perching choice of a duck-shaped logo an amusing coincidence. I often see both Lily and Ossie perched there.

The Peregrine is crow-sized and is a bird of prey, which means that they are hunters who mostly hunt medium-sized birds. They eat pigeons, as well as other birds. Their large talons help them to catch their prey.

These falcons can be found almost everywhere on Earth. While they typically nest on cliffs, Peregrines have been found nesting in cities. This is why Lily is Lily of the City. She nests on a tall building in a city, rather than on the edge of a cliff.

These birds are territorial. Nesting pairs are often more than a kilometer apart. This ensures that each family has enough food to eat.

Peregrine Falcons like Lily and Ossie mate for life.