With the exception of the bulky, Arctic-nesting Gyrfalcon, the Peregrine Falcon is the largest of the Eastern falcon clan. The peregrine is noted for its aerial speed and split-second maneuvers to capture avian prey on the wing. This bird's scientific name, Falco peregrinus, is descriptive of its life habits. Falco means "sickle-shaped" and refers to the bird's curved talons; peregrinus means to wander widely.
The meteoric decline of the peregrine due to environmental toxins is well documented; perhaps readers are less familiar with the species' gradual rebirth in recent decades as 35 nations have worked to restore this majestic falcon.
According to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologist Charlie Todd, "Peregrine numbers plummeted during the 20th century, and the anatum subspecies native to this area was virtually extirpated in the Eastern US. Captive breeding programs used stock from around the world to supply reintroductions in coordinated recovery programs." Still flightless, young peregrines were placed in large enclosures known as hack boxes that were located at traditional cliff nesting sites. The rapidly growing falcons were provided with food daily and then, at fledging age, they were released with the hope of their subsequent return to nest sites.
Todd says that "in Maine, nesting peregrines were absent for 25 years following the 1962 disappearance of the last breeding pair in Acadia National Park. Releases of 153 young peregrines at seven locations across the state during 1984-1987 enabled a second chance for the species. Memorable 'firsts' in the early years of recovery include the first returning falcon to Baxter Sate Park in 1985 and the first successful breeding at C Bluff Mountain in 1988."
By 2009, there were 25 known nesting pairs in Maine. Peregrines now reside on 20 cliff/coastal headlands across Maine and on five bridges/ buildings in urban areas, such as the old Bucksport to Ver-ona Bridge. This represents the state's highest count of resident population in at least 60 years. The deepest concentration of nesting pairs is in mountainous parts of Oxford County (10 pairs) followed by Hancock County (6 pairs). Knox County's single nesting pair reportedly produced three fledglings this year.
As northern populations pour out of Canada and Greenland, the fall falcon migration is now well under way across Maine. From September through October these swift birds may be encountered in any setting where feathered prey is present. One recent early morning, a chasing peregrine barreled down Main Street Rockland in pursuit of a fleeing pigeon flock. The speeding flock did not even pause for the red stoplight.
Some more predictable places to see fall falcons is Monhegan Island and at some of the traditional hawk watch sites such as the tip of Basin Point in South Harpswell or Acadia's Cadillac Mountain. The summit of Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal has an organized seasonal hawk watch in spring and fall.
Less reliant on updrafts or warm-air thermals than the soaring raptor species, falcons use direct powered flight during migration. Their day-to-day locations depend mainly on where food is to be found.
Last Wednesday morning, I took some extremely closeup photos of a juvenile peregrine consuming a pigeon on the roof of the Pearl restaurant in Rockland. This juvenile peregrine has chased pigeons around Rockland for several days. The head of the prey is consumed first (the brain is the most nutrient-rich part of the body). Next the breast is eaten as more feathers are plucked and removed. Then the backsides. It took the falcon about 50 minutes to finish the entire meal.
