The peregrine falcon is one of nature's swiftest and most beautiful birds of prey. It is noted for its speed, grace, and aerial skills. Peregrine falcons are medium-sized hawks with long pointed wings. Younger birds are darker below and browner. As with many raptors, or birds of prey, females are larger than males.
Peregrine falcons live mostly along mountain ranges, river valleys, and coastlines.
Historically, they were most common in parts of the Appalachian Mountains and nearby valleys from New England south to Georgia, the upper Mississippi River Valley, and the Rocky Mountains. Peregrines also inhabited mountain ranges and islands along the Pacific Coast from Mexico north to Alaska and in the Arctic tundra. Peregrine falcons are found in other parts of the world. Most peregrines from northern Alaska, Canada, and Greenland migrate in the fall to Central and South America. On the way, they often hunt along the barrier islands on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Coasts.