There are several subspecies of peregrine falcon, the anatum subspecies was once widespread across North America, and is intermediate in coloration compared to the other subspecies. The American Peregrine Falcon likes to live near open areas - from wetlands, grasslands, and tundra, to open forest, and mountains. They prefer an area with nearby cliffs for nesting and roosting. The peregrine is famous for its dramatic swoops after prey such as small birds, ducks, pigeons, and shorebirds. Breeding peregrines do elaborate aerial displays during courtship.
Male peregrines bring courtship presents of food to the female.
Both parents incubate the eggs, although the female does most of the incubation, while the male brings her food. Both parents take care of the young until they are fledged. In the fall they migrate to South America, wintering from the West Indies to Tierra del Fuego. By 1964, peregrines were absent east of the Mississippi River and rapidly declining in the west. In the mid 1970's only 10 breeding pairs were known of in California.