Dan's Feathursday Feature: Peregrine Falcon

This day was different.

One summer, from mid-July to mid-August, as I took my regular walk along the South Shore lakefront that I frequent, I was entertained daily by families of American Kestrels who clearly nested somewhere nearby. It was not unusual to see four or five hovering thirty feet above the grass, diving to snatch a grasshopper or field mouse, practicing their barrel-rolls as they chased each other from one end of the field to the other.

But one morning, there was not a single Kestrel anywhere to be seen. The skies were empty. It struck me as a bit strange, but I didn't think much of it as I walked south.

Then I spotted the probable cause of the Kestrel-less morning. Perched high in a dead tree about 150 yards ahead was a lone Peregrine Falcon. From that vantage point, it had a clear view of the entire mile-long stretch of grassland and shoreline. Like an old western movie, the streets had cleared and everyone peered from behind shaded windows until the guy wearing the black hat rode out of town. In fact, as I continued south, the Peregrine Falcon abandoned its perch and flew along the shoreline until it disappeared. Within five minutes, I spotted two Kestrels flying low over the field. It was not a coincidence.

A larger cousin of the Kestrel, the Peregrine Falcon is the definition of majesty and power. Even just perched calmly on a dead limb, it exudes strength and confidence. Barrel-chested, with broad shoulders, long pointed wings, massive talons, steely gaze, this fierce hunter makes its living snatching birds on the wing, usually attacking from high above, in a long, furious nose-dive. I've never seen one make an attack, but I have had several make practice dives right over my head, so close that I could hear the wind rush through their wings. The speed and the power is something you have to experience to believe. Add it to your bucket list!

Enjoy the photos, and be grateful for the success of the many conservation efforts that are being made to maintain a healthy breeding population of this majestic bird.

Dan's Feathursday Feature is a regular contribution to the COS blog featuring the thoughts, insights and pictures of Chicago birder, Dan Lory on birds of the Chicago region.