Peregrine falcons are renowned for their speed, able to dive at speeds over 200 mph to catch prey, making them the fastest animal on Earth. But they also have a varied vocal repertoire to communicate with each other. Understanding peregrine falcon calls can provide insight into their behavior and ecology.
Alarm calls
One of the most common peregrine falcon calls is the alarm call. This call is used to signal danger and warn others in the area. It is a loud, sharp “kak-kak-kak” sound. Both male and female peregrines make the alarm call when they spot potential predators like eagles or ravens. It puts the predator on alert that it has been detected. Peregrines may make the call while mobbing the intruder. The alarm call attracts the attention of other falcons who may join in the defense. This call is especially common during breeding season, when peregrines are more territorial. Alarm calls are often the first indicator that a peregrine nest is nearby.
Territorial calls
Peregrines are highly territorial, especially when breeding. They use vocalizations to claim territory and ward off intruders. One common territorial call is a loud “cack” noise, which males typically make while displaying aerial acrobatics. They will gain altitude and then swoop down in a dramatic stoop while calling. This impressive show of speed and agility asserts the resident male’s dominance on his territory. Females may also make the “cack” call but do not perform the stooping displays. Other territorial calls include a fast “klee-klee-klee” call or a harsh “shek-shek-shek”. These calls are mainly heard during courtship or while chasing away intruders.
Courtship calls
Peregrines make intriguing vocalizations during courtship displays. When a male is attracting a mate at the nest site, he makes a rhythmic “eechup eechup” call. The male typically calls from a high perch while the female watches from the cliff ledge below. In response, the female may make a harsh, raspy “hek hek hek” call. Other courtship calls include a high-pitched “eee ahh” duet between the male and female. These intricate vocalizations help strengthen the pair bond and may provide information on the fitness of potential mates.
Begging calls
Baby peregrines start calling even before they hatch, in a behavior called “kackling.” Using a special egg tooth, the chicks peck from inside the egg, making faint clicking or tapping sounds. These sounds stimulate the parents to attend to the eggs. Once hatched, hungry peregrine chicks make loud, raspy begging calls that can sound like screeching. Both parents take turns feeding the demanding chicks. The frequency and intensity of begging calls help guide the parents’ provisioning. As the chicks age, their calls become lower-pitched. Juveniles continue to beg for food from their parents for several weeks after fledging.
Non-vocal sounds
Peregrines don’t only vocalize. They also communicate using non-vocal sounds. For example, courting males make a unique motion where they dive then pull up steeply, making a loud clapping sound with their wings. This dramatic maneuver, called a wing clap display, creates a sonic boom-like noise. The forceful wing clap demonstrates the male’s strength and mastery of flight. Peregrines may also communicate using percussion sounds. They snap their beaks, creating a knocking sound, during disputes over prey items or to punctuate vocalizations.
Variation in calls
There is considerable variation in peregrine falcon vocalizations. Calls can differ between sexes, with females typically having harsher, hoarser voices. There are also regional dialects, with distinct variations between different geographic populations. Juveniles have more nasal, high-pitched begging calls before their voices mature. Individual birds can often be recognized by unique features of their calls. And calls sound different depending on motivation, such as alarm calls varying with predator type and risk level. Understanding this complexity allows for deeper analysis of peregrine communication.
Functions of peregrine vocalizations
Peregrine falcon calls serve a variety of functions:
- Territorial displays – Aggressive calls like “cack” mark territory
- Courtship – Rhythmic “eechup” used by males during breeding rituals
- Feeding chicks – Loud begging calls stimulate parents to deliver food
- Alarm – Sharp “kak-kak-kak” warns of potential threats
- Contact – Softer “hee ahh” used between mates and parents/young
Different calls are associated with specific contexts and activities. Understanding when and why peregrines vocalize provides insight into their social dynamics and behavioral ecology.
Perching locations for calling
Peregrines use strategic perching locations when vocalizing:
- High vantage points – Males call from high cliffs or trees to maximize signal range
- Near nest – Territorial and courtship calls often originate at or near the nest site
- In flight – Some calls like alarm calls are made mid-flight
- On prey – Falcons may vocalize while eating to claim the food item
Elevated perches allow sound propagation over longer distances. Calls near nests help identify territory and attract/interact with mates. Aerial calls can locate the caller, important for announcing threats or territorial borders. Vocalizing on captured prey may deter others from approaching too closely while feeding.
Repertoire size
Peregrines have a repertoire of around 7 distinct vocalizations:
- Alarm call
- Territorial call (“cack”)
- Courtship call (“eechup”)
- Begging call
- Contact call (“hee ahh”)
- Food-solicitation
- Threat call
Each call is acoustically unique and used in specific behavioral contexts. Having a varied vocal repertoire allows peregrines to communicate different messages like warning of danger, claiming territory, or summoning a mate.
Acoustics of calls
Acoustic features of peregrine calls include:
- Frequency – Most calls range 2-4 kHz
- Tempo – Alarm calls faster than territorial calls
- Volume – Courtship calls quieter than alarm calls
- Pitch – Juvenile begging higher-pitched than adults
- Timbre – Raspy, harsh quality especially in females
These acoustic properties allow for individual recognition and help convey meaning. Loud, fast alarm calls signal high-urgency threats. While high-pitched begging indicates a hungry fledgling.
Geographic variations
There are distinct regional dialects in peregrine vocalizations across their global range, including:
- Peale’s peregrines have a faster, more nasal “kak kak kak” alarm call
- Faster rhythm to “eechup” courtship call in Australia
- Lower frequency begging calls in South America
- Harsher quality to territorial calls in parts of North America
These geographic variations arise from isolation and can help identify population origins. The regional dialects are consistent and maintained through cultural transmission. Young peregrines likely learn the local vocal dialects from their parents.
Individual variation
Individual peregrines can be identified by unique variations in their calls. Specific identifiers include:
- Call rate – One bird may call faster/slower than another
- Frequency modulation – Unusual warbling or shaking
- Hoarseness – Degree of harshness and rasping
- Consistency – Some birds maintain rhythm better
Researchers in one study could identify individual peregrines with 90% accuracy based on their territorial and contact calls. Vocal individuality may help peregrines recognize their own mate or offspring.
Mimicry
Peregrines occasionally mimic the calls of other species. Observed vocal mimics include:
- American kestrel
- Northern goshawk
- Red-tailed hawk
- Great horned owl
Mimicry is more common in captive birds but has been documented in wild populations. The function of mimicking other raptors is poorly understood but may be related to competition over prey and nest sites.
Nestling calls
Peregrine nestlings produce several distinct calls:
Call type | Description | Context |
---|---|---|
Kackle | Clicking sound from inside egg | Stimulate parents to incubate |
Distress | High-pitched squeal | Handling by researchers |
Food-begging | Raspy screeching | Hungry chick soliciting food |
Contentment | Softer chirping | Chick resting satisfied |
Nestling calls are higher-pitched and more nasal-sounding than adult vocalizations. Begging calls stimulate the parents to deliver more food. Understanding nestling calls provides insight into development.
Muting
Peregrines can mute or silence their calls to avoid detection:
- Remain quiet when incoming to the nest ledge to avoid alerting prey below
- Decrease territorial calls around a competitor’s nest
- Withhold food-begging calls to hide from predators
- Stop alarm calls once threat has passed to signal “all clear”
Tactical muting suggests advanced call control and situational awareness. It may also indicate that peregrines understand the meaning behind their vocalizations.
Evolutionary origins
Many peregrine vocalizations are shared with related falcon species, suggesting an ancient evolutionary origin:
- Alarm call similar among falcons
- Territorial “cack” call in prairie falcons
- High-pitched begging common in falconets
- Remnant food-solicitation in kestrels
Shared call characteristics imply descent from a common ancestor. But each species also shows unique adaptations like the peregrine’s contact call and courtship vocalizations.
Uses in conservation
Peregrine vocalizations provide valuable information for conservation:
- Monitor populations – Counting territorial and courtship calls
- Locate nests – Following food-begging calls
- Assess reproduction – Begging calls indicate hatching success
- Evaluate disturbance – Increased alarm calls suggest human impact
Recording and analyzing peregrine calls allows researchers to track nesting pairs, reproductive output, and disturbance levels without disrupting the birds.
Cultural importance
The peregrine falcon’s striking vocalizations have inspired humans across cultures:
- Symbol of aggression in Native American tribes
- Omen of war due to loud territorial calls in medieval Europe
- Seen as a guardian spirit based on alarm calls in Australia
- Call described as “shrill” and “wild” in Old English literature
From rock art to heraldry, the peregrine’s evocative calls have intrigued people worldwide. They remain an iconic sound of the natural world.
Conclusion
Peregrine falcons have a complex vocabulary of vocalizations that play key social, ecological and evolutionary roles. Alarm calls signal danger, courtship calls strengthen pair bonds, begging calls keep the young fed. Regional dialects, mimicry and individual uniqueness reveal the depth of peregrine acoustic communication. Continued research into the meaning behind their remarkable calls will provide further insight into the lives of these charismatic raptors.