Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

(F. p. brookei )

Armenian Name:	Սապսան
Species Status:	Endangered Species - Species of Special Concern

See Plate 12 for Peregrine Falcon and other similar species See Plate 15 for Peregrine Falcon and other similar species in flight

Flight Characteristics:	Large with broad breast and short tail. Wing has broad base and very pointed tip; underwing coverts and flight feathers uniformly dark. Bold dark mustache. Powerful level flight. Soars on extended level wings up to great heights.
Resident Status:	Year-round resident
Abundance:	Rare
Length:	36-48 cm, Wing Span:95-110 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 60.
Description:	Powerful falcon with dark barred underwing showing little contrast between coverts and flight feathers.
Adult:	Male has dark upper cheek and broad mustache contrasting with whitish throat and sides of neck. Underparts pale orange with dense barring. Female larger and darker.
Juvenile:	Dark brown above, light brown with dark streaks below.
Similar Species:	Differs from Lanner and Saker Falcons by more distinct mustache mark, uniformly dark barred underwing, and dark-tipped undertail.
Behavior:	Swift and agile in flight. Dramatically stoops at high speed and strikes prey in air.
Habitat:	Mountain steppe and forests, semidesert, farmland.
Food:	Birds.
Nest:	Scrape on cliff ledge or old nest of other raptor.
Eggs:	52 mm, 3-4, off-white, red-brown spots.