Falconry

peregrinetubercle

The surname ‘Falco’ originates from the Latin word for ‘hawk.’ It refers either to certain birds of prey known as falcons, or to a falconer, someone who keeps and trains falcons–a practice called falconry. The most well known falcon is the Peregrine Falcon, a member of the genus Falco in the family Faclonidae, whose scientific name is Falco peregrinus. Since the Latin pereginus means ‘wanderer’ this bird’s name, ‘wandering hawk,’ says something about its lifestyle. To me this etymological connection is significant because the Peregrine Falcon is one of the most fascinating birds, and is by far the fastest living creature on earth.

Brief Factsfalco_peregrinus_-_01

  • length: 14 – 19in
  • wingspan: 3.3 -3.6ft
  • weight: 18 – 56oz
  • lifespan: 19yrs
  • age at maturity: 2yrs
  • diet: small & medium sized birds, also bats
  • top speeds
    • cruise: 33mph
    • pursuit: 67mph
    • dive: 242mph
  • conservation status:
    • formerly endangered (1975; 324 nesting pairs in USA)
    • presently least concern (est. 2-3k nesting pairs in North & Central America)

Identification

  • Size & ShapePeregrine Falcons are the largest falcon, about two pounds (adults) and roughly the size of a crow, with long, pointed wings and a long tail. The long primary wing feathers give the Peregrine a long-winged shape that is sickle-shaped while in flight.Peregrines have a hooked beak with a notch used for killing prey by severing the spinal cord. They have large feet and long talons. Females are up to one third larger than males, so Peregrines can sometimes be confused with large female Merlins or small male Gyrfalcons.
  • Color PatternAdults have a black hood (head feathers), blue-gray back and wings on top. They have a tear-shape malar (cheek) stripe. The chest is a solid buff color and the legs, abdomen, and underside of the wings are all buff colored with dark bar patterns. Juveniles have brown backs instead of blue-gray, and are heavily marked, with vertical streaks instead of horizontal bars on the breast.

Range/population

Habitat

Behavior

  1. hunting
  2. mate for life
  3. cliff racing
  4. reproduction
  5. feeding young
  7. nesting
  8. young (eyases)
  9. teaching flight
  10. teaching hunting

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has been said that one’s family name confers some measure of identity on a person. My surname comes from my paternal great-grandparents who immigrated to the United States from Sicily, Italy. They at one time owned a deli. I do not know much else about them. Their son, my grandfather Ralph Falco, was a medic for the United States Army in the European theatre of World War II. In elementary school I was a naturally fast runner and earned the nickname ‘Flying Falcon’ from my peers. My younger brother Jonathan became a star cross-country runner in high school. My daughter Claire is already on track to become a very fast swimmer even in elementary school.