Peale's falcon
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Falco peregrinus pealei

Peale's falcon (Falco peregrinus pealei ) is a subspecies of the peregrine falcon. This race was first identified by the ornithologist Robert Ridgway in 1873, named in honor of Titian Ramsay Peale. These birds are the largest subspecies of peregrines (on average) anywhere in the world.

Appearance

Measurements for male F. p. pealei are as follows: length 16.3 inches (41 cm), wingspan 36.2 inches (92 cm), wing chord 12.60–13.58 in (320–345 mm). For females: length 18.7 inches (47 cm), wingspan 43.6 inches (111 cm), wing chord 14.29–15.39 in (363–391 mm)

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Weight range for male F. p. pealei are 28.57–37.32 oz (810–1,058 g), averaging 33.65 oz (954 g); females range 43.88–56.33 oz (1,244–1,597 g), averaging 49.31 oz (1,398 g).

The adults are generally identified by the presence of heavy horizontal barring across their abdomen, large "tear-drop" shaped markings on their breast (more pronounced in the females) extending up into the auriculars, a white, smokey-white, or grayish background color on the breast (as opposed to the salmon to orangish background color on most other subspecies), very broad malar stripe to a full dark cap, and wider, stronger mandibles than is commonly seen in the species as a whole.

Immature birds are overall very dark, with little to no buff-colored edging to the feathers of the mantle, nearly completely dark heads, and very heavily streaked ventral markings. Rectrices are usually unbarred. Feet and cere color varies from light blue to light yellow.

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Geography

References

1. Peale's falcon Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peale's_falcon

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