It primarily hunts medium-sized birds, dropping down on them from high above in that amazing stoop. This is one of the most widespread birds in the world, and found on all continents except Antarctica. During its truly spectacular hunting stoop, it travels about a kilometer into the air before diving back down and reaching speeds of over 200 miles per hour! They’re commonly trained for hunting due to their extreme speed and agility, reaching speeds up to 69 miles per hour in direct pursuit of prey – but that still isn’t their max speed. The Peregrine Falcon has both year-round and migratory populations within Utah, and is the most prized bird of the area. They’ve also been known to hide surplus kills in grass clumps, tree roots, bushes, fence posts, tree limbs, and cavities in order to hide it from potential thieves. Due to this, they’ve had to evolve to be extremely quick and agile in the air. The males have gorgeous slate-blue heads and wings that contrast with the rusty-red back and tail, while the females have the same warm red on her wings, back, and tail.ĭespite their ferocity, they’re often prey for larger birds of prey such as Red-Tailed Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks. It’s the smallest of the falcons in Utah and is also one of the most colorful of all raptors. The American Kestrel is a very widespread bird and has year-round populations across the North American continent – including state-wide in Utah. So let’s take a look at the 3 different types of falcons you may come across in Utah. They are generally smaller and more compact than other birds of prey, but no less deadly when it comes to hunting. Their preferred method of hunting is catching prey by diving on it from above. Those species are the American Kestrel, the Peregrine Falcon, and the Merlin.įalcons are birds of prey that have long, pointed wings and a notched beak that are well equipped for speed. There are fewer types of falcons in general than hawks or owls, and only 3 species in the state of Utah. He did and he is! He gained a little weight - up an ounce to 180 grams - which really made his feistiness come through, but that was the only change in him.In this article we’ll be discussing North American falcons, more precisely the falcons in Utah. Keith had said Jim was to be on antibiotics for 5 days and - if he made it to then - should be fine. In fact, that may well be what saved Jim’s life: it may have stopped the buzzard going in for the kill because she may have thought he was already dead. It looks like she held Jim by his head with one of her talons (explaining the blood on his cere) and, perhaps, that blocked his airway so that he lost consciousness. You can see from the video (above) how hard the buzzard whacked Jim and you can see that she pinned him down and that Jim stops moving. When Steve came back with Jim later that day, we were both astounded: Keith could find no obvious signs of injury (other than the bit of blood on his cere) Jim had the laboured breathing but, otherwise, seemed fine! Keith agreed to fit Jim in that morning so that he could be checked over and given antibiotics. We are hugely fortunate to live near an experienced and expert falconer-vet, Keith, who practises out of the Eden Veterinary Practice at Cupar.
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