In recent years, peregrines have started inhabiting large cities, perching on tall buildings in place of cliff ledges. Typical prey items include pigeons, starlings, nighthawks, and assorted shorebirds. More than 300 species of birds have been identified as prey in North America. Occasionally, bats, rats, rabbits and voles are also taken. There have been some unconfirmed reports of dives that exceeded 200 mph.
Peregrines can easily overtake most birds in level flight.
After soaring at very high altitudes, the peregrine will stoop towards the prey in an almost vertical dive. Thus, the prey is taken by surprise and has little chance for escape. Another effective hunting strategy is dropping down on prey from a high perch. Migration is mainly along the coasts and the Great Lakes. The tundra birds move as far south as Central Argentina and Chile during the boreal winter.