Peregrine Falcon hunting over our Regina SK backyard

Peregrine Falcon, on its evening hunt above my house. © SB 

When we eat supper outside on warm spring days, we often see birds of prey on the hunt.

One recent evening, the shape of a bird's wings caught my eye and its facial marking snagged at my memory. On checking, I realized it was likely a Peregrine Falcon.

(There is a usually a pair nesting on the City Hall building in downtown Regina — and who knows where else nearby, so it's quite likely.)

My sources for the ID were my bird books, including Jerry Liguori's Hawks at a Distance, which explains the wing shape, dark markings, pale chest and black head/mask.

I also tried Merlin, the new All About Birds photo ID web application, which — along with suggesting some highly unlikely songbirds — provided photos of several birds almost identical to mine, with the same distinctive black face masks, white chests, and heavily barred undersides, all verified as Peregrine Falcons. (But, of course, my bird was a very long way up in the sky, so...)

Soaring high, a Peregrine Falcon on the prowl.  © SB 

Another view of the bird I'm calling a Peregrine Falcon - though I'm happy to hear other IDs! © SB

What is this? A Peregrine Falcon
Location: Flying over my backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Photo date: May 15, 2016

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Peregrine Falcon on Regina City Hall

High on a ledge at Regina City Hall, there is a Peregrine Falcon. The falcon likes the east side of the building, birders say, and it's sometimes seen near the south-east corner.

Although falcons aren't huge birds, this one was fairly easy to spot... I'd heard it was often at City Hall, and I saw it from several blocks away. (Then again, at about 16 inches, with a wingspan of about 40 inches, they aren't small birds, either!)

Peregrine Falcon on the east side of Regina City Hall.   © SB

Peregrine Falcons are birds of prey, hunting "mainly medium-size birds from high above in spectacular swoops," my Sibley guide says.

Pigeons — and robins — beware...

High, high - yes, almost near the roof
and sky in this urban canyon. © SB

For those who know Regina City Hall, the picture above shows the falcon's position on the ledge. And, for those who don't, this total building shot (taken a couple of weeks ago at the Mayor's Poetry City Challenge), shows the scale — although to see the falcon yesterday, you'd have had to walk around the corner to the east side. 

Regina City Hall. Walk around to the right,
towards the rest of downtown, to see the falcon.
(If, that is, it's there...)  © SB

For more, the CBC last year aired a video interview about on falcons at City Hall with a bird watcher and with ornithologist, Dr. Stuart Houston.


What is this? Peregrine Falcon

Location: Downtown Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo date: April 24, 2013.

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