SpeciesFacts

All species › Birds › Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Bird · family Falconidae · order Falconiformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G4: apparently secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Peregrine Falcon
Photo: Georges Lignier (georges.lignier@wanadoo.fr), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G4 Apparently Secure[2]
Native in
49 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
20 years[4]

The Peregrine Falcon is a bird of prey in the falcon family, Falconidae[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[1], and NatureServe lists it as native in 49 US states and territories[3].

Conservation status

NatureServe ranks the Peregrine Falcon G4, which means Apparently Secure across its whole world range[2]. In the United States its national rank is also Apparently Secure, both in the breeding season and outside it[6]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1], but it is protected as a migratory bird under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[7]. It is also on CITES Appendix I, which controls international trade in the species[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G4 (Apparently Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N4B,N4N (Apparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[9] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[7] Protected
CITES (international trade)[8] Appendix I
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[10] 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Where Peregrine Falcon lives

NatureServe lists the Peregrine Falcon as native across much of the country, from Alaska and Washington to Texas, Florida and Maine[3]. It is ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated in Alabama, meaning it may no longer breed there[11]. Its NatureServe rank differs from state to state, and the table on this page lists each one[12].

Alaska: native, state rank S3B,S3NAKMaine: native, state rank S1N,S2BMEWisconsin: native, state rank S3BWIVermont: native, state rank S3BVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank SNRNHWashington: native, state rank S2B,S3NWAIdaho: native, state rank S3BIDMontana: native, state rank S4MTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRNDMinnesota: native, state rank S3BMNIllinois: native, state rank S2ILMichigan: native, state rank S3MINew York: native, state rank S3BNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S2B,S3NMAOregon: native, state rank S3ORNevada: native, state rank S3NVWyoming: native, state rank S2B,S2NWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S1BSDIowa: native, state rank S1BIAIndiana: native, state rank S2BINOhio: native, state rank S3OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S1B,S5N,S4MPANew Jersey: native, state rank S2B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S1BCTRhode Island: native, state rank S1BRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S2UTColorado: native, state rank S2BCONebraska: native, state rank S1NEMissouri: native, state rank S3MOKentucky: native, state rank S1BKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S2B,S2NWVVirginia: native, state rank S1B,S2NVAMaryland: native, state rank S2MDDelaware: native, state rank S1B,S3NDEArizona: native, state rank S4AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S2B,S3NNMKansas: native, state rank S1B,S3NKSArkansas: native, state rank S1NARTennessee: native, state rank S1BTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S1B,S2NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNSCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S1B,S1NDCOklahoma: native, state rank S4MOKLouisiana: native, state rank S3NLAMississippi: native, state rank S4NMSAlabama: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHB,S3NALGeorgia: native, state rank S1GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S3TXFlorida: native, state rank S2FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[12].
Show state ranks (50 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSHB,S3NPossibly Extirpated (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
AlaskaS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
ArizonaS4Apparently Secure
ArkansasS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS2BImperiled (breeding)
ConnecticutS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
DelawareS1B,S3NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
District of ColumbiaS1B,S1NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
FloridaS2Imperiled
GeorgiaS1Critically Imperiled
IdahoS3BVulnerable (breeding)
IllinoisS2Imperiled
IndianaS2BImperiled (breeding)
IowaS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
KansasS1B,S3NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
KentuckyS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
LouisianaS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
MaineS1N,S2BCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding), Imperiled (breeding)
MarylandS2Imperiled
MassachusettsS2B,S3NImperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
MichiganS3Vulnerable
MinnesotaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
MississippiS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
MissouriS3Vulnerable
MontanaS4Apparently Secure
NebraskaS1Critically Imperiled
NevadaS3Vulnerable
New HampshireSNRNot Ranked
New JerseyS2B,S4NImperiled (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS2B,S3NImperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
New YorkS3BVulnerable (breeding)
North CarolinaS1B,S2NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSNRNot Ranked
OhioS3Vulnerable
OklahomaS4MApparently Secure (migrant)
OregonS3Vulnerable
PennsylvaniaS1B,S5N,S4MCritically Imperiled (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding), Apparently Secure (migrant)
Rhode IslandS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
South CarolinaSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
South DakotaS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
TennesseeS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
TexasS3Vulnerable
UtahS2Imperiled
VermontS3BVulnerable (breeding)
VirginiaS1B,S2NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
WashingtonS2B,S3NImperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
West VirginiaS2B,S2NImperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS3BVulnerable (breeding)
WyomingS2B,S2NImperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)

Habitat

Peregrine Falcons use many open places, including tundra, desert, shrubland, woodland, wetlands, coasts and cities[13]. Cliffs matter most for nesting, and the birds usually nest on a rock ledge or in a hole in a cliff face[14]. In some places they nest on tall buildings, riverbanks or in old stick nests built by other birds[14]. Outside the nesting season they go where their prey gathers, such as farm fields, marshes, beaches and even airports[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Peregrine Falcon is a meat eater[15], and it hunts mostly other birds, from songbirds up to small ducks[16]. One estimate puts its diet at 80% warm-blooded animals, 10% reptiles and amphibians and 10% invertebrates[17]. Adults are about 51 cm (20 in) long[18] and weigh about 3 lb[19]. A typical clutch size is 3[20], and the female does most of the incubation, or keeping the clutch warm, while the male brings her food[21]. The oldest known wild Peregrine Falcon from US and Canadian banding records was at least 20 years 5 months old[4], and the longest recorded lifespan is 25 years[22].

Trait Value
Typical length[18] 51 cm (20 in)
Typical adult weight[19] 1.5 kg (3 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[22] 25 years
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 20 years 5 months
Litter or clutch size[20] 3
Gestation or incubation[23] 30 days
Female maturity[24] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[15] Carnivore
Migration[25] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[17]

  • 80% warm-blooded vertebrates
  • 10% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% invertebrates

When to look for it

Peregrine Falcons are diurnal, which means they are active during the day[26]. They do a lot of their hunting in the morning and some toward evening[27]. Some populations stay put while others travel far[25], and birds that breed in the far north make the longest trips[28]. On GBIF, most US records are reported in January, September and October[29].

January: 87,996 recordsJanFebruary: 64,343 recordsFebMarch: 64,710 recordsMarApril: 77,454 recordsAprMay: 75,191 recordsMayJune: 43,244 recordsJunJuly: 45,932 recordsJulAugust: 76,040 recordsAugSeptember: 126,508 recordsSepOctober: 141,837 recordsOctNovember: 80,586 recordsNovDecember: 73,558 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[29].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January87,996
February64,343
March64,710
April77,454
May75,191
June43,244
July45,932
August76,040
September126,508
October141,837
November80,586
December73,558

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Peregrine Falcon as present in 158 park units[30]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 134 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: California, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Massachusetts[31]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Peregrine Falcon endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1], and NatureServe ranks it Apparently Secure[2]. It is still protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[7].
Where do Peregrine Falcons live in the US?
NatureServe lists them as native in 49 US states and territories[3]. They are ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated in Alabama[11].
What do Peregrine Falcons eat?
They mainly catch other birds[16]. About 80% of their diet is estimated to be warm-blooded animals[17].
How big is a Peregrine Falcon?
Adults are about 51 cm (20 in) long[18] and weigh about 3 lb[19].
How long do Peregrine Falcons live?
The oldest known wild Peregrine Falcon from banding records was at least 20 years 5 months old[4]. The longest recorded lifespan in AnAge is 25 years[22].

Facts and sources

  1. Peregrine Falcon is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Peregrine Falcon: G4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Peregrine Falcon as native in 49 US states and territories: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Peregrine Falcon from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 20 years 5 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a bird in the family Falconidae, order Falconiformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N4B,N4N (Apparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. Peregrine Falcon is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  8. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix I (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  9. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe ranks Peregrine Falcon as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Alabama. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe state ranks for Peregrine Falcon (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Peregrine Falcon: Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Desert, Tundra, Cliff, Urban/edificarian, Herbaceous wetland, Riparian, Aerial, Bay/sound, River mouth/tidal river,... NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Peregrine Falcon. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore. NatureServe Explorer
  16. NatureServe notes on food for Peregrine Falcon. NatureServe Explorer
  17. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 80% warm-blooded vertebrates, 10% reptiles and amphibians, 10% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  18. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 51 cm (20 in). NatureServe Explorer
  19. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 1.5 kg (3 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  20. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 3. AnAge
  21. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Peregrine Falcon. NatureServe Explorer
  22. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 25 years. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  23. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 30 days. AnAge
  24. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  25. NatureServe migration category for Peregrine Falcon: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  26. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  27. NatureServe notes on phenology for Peregrine Falcon. NatureServe Explorer
  28. NatureServe notes on migration for Peregrine Falcon. NatureServe Explorer
  29. GBIF observation records of Peregrine Falcon in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  30. NPSpecies park lists recording Peregrine Falcon as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  31. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Peregrine Falcon: California, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Massachusetts. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Georges Lignier (georges.lignier@wanadoo.fr), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.