Peregrine falcons are not that rare to see, but they are also not a bird that most people will commonly encounter in their day-to-day lives. Here are some key facts about the rarity and sightings of peregrine falcons:
Quick Facts
- Peregrine falcons are found on every continent except Antarctica.
- They are widespread across North America, but their total population in the U.S. and Canada is estimated to be around 3,500 breeding pairs.
- Peregrine falcons are considered a recovering species after significant population declines in the mid-1900s.
- While still relatively uncommon, their populations have rebounded substantially from lows in the 1960s.
- Certain areas have higher densities of peregrine falcons, like coastal regions and mountainous areas.
- Migration and urban breeding populations provide more opportunities to see peregrine falcons in the wild.
- They are still far less common to see than more widespread species like red-tailed hawks or American crows.
Current Population Status
Here is some background on the peregrine falcon’s population status and why they are considered uncommon relative to many other bird species:
Peregrine falcons experienced significant population declines in the mid-20th century, especially in North America and Europe. Their populations dropped substantially due to the impacts of pesticides like DDT, which caused their eggshells to be thinner and prone to breaking before hatching. By the 1960s, there were only around 350 known breeding pairs left in the United States.
After DDT was banned and recovery efforts increased, peregrine falcon populations began to rebound. They were listed as an endangered species in the U.S. from 1970 to 1999 while their populations recovered. Thanks to conservation actions, there are now estimated to be around 3,500 breeding pairs in the U.S. and Canada.
While this represents a major recovery, it is still a relatively small total population for the entire continent. For comparison, a common bird like the American robin has an estimated population of over 300 million in North America. So even though peregrine falcons have rebounded, their total numbers are still quite low compared to many other bird species. This contributes to them being less frequently observed in general.
Geographic Distribution
Peregrine falcons can be found across most of North America, but some regions have higher densities than others. This influences how likely you are to see one depending on where you are:
- They are found in greatest concentrations along coasts, especially on the Pacific Coast, the Gulf Coast, and the Atlantic Coast north to New England.
- Some inland areas with cliffs and mountains also support higher density populations, like parts of the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains.
- They can be found across the rest of the continent too during migrations, but at lower densities in flatter inland areas.
- Certain urban centers like New York City and Chicago have large peregrine falcon populations that breed on tall buildings and bridges.
So while widely distributed, concentrations along coasts and in urban areas provide more reliable opportunities to view peregrine falcons than many inland parts of the continent.
Migration
Migration habits of peregrine falcons also influence when and where they are likely to be seen:
- Some peregrine falcons are full migrants, traveling between breeding grounds in Canada and the U.S. south to wintering grounds in South America.
- Others are partial migrants that travel shorter distances, like from Canada to the southern U.S. for winter.
- Migration means more peregrines funnel through key areas like coastal regions and Central America, increasing sighting opportunities.
- Spring and fall are ideal times to view migrating peregrines at stopover sites like along the Texas Gulf Coast or New Jersey shoreline.
So seasonal migrations result in increased peregrine activity and concentrations along certain travel routes and stopover sites across North America.
Behaviors Influencing Sightings
Some behaviors of peregrine falcons also make them more or less likely to be noticed:
- They are fast flyers that can reach over 200 mph during hunting stoops, making them visible in flight.
- Soaring high overhead while hunting also exposes them.
- However, they spend much time perched out of view on cliffs ledges or tall urban perches.
- Nest sites are often well-concealed on rocky ledges, limiting breeding season sightings.
- Vocalizations like loud cackling may reveal their presence.
So while fast aerial flights and vocalizations make them observable at times, secretive perching and nesting behaviors limit detections much of the time.
Best Places to See Peregrine Falcons
Here are some of the top locations and sites across North America for seeing peregrine falcons in the wild:
- Coastlines, especially along the Pacific Coast like at Point Reyes National Seashore.
- Migratory hotspots like Cape May, New Jersey and Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania.
- Western mountain ranges like the Rocky Mountains.
- Eastern mountain areas like the Appalachian Mountains.
- Bridges and tall buildings in urban centers, especially New York City and Chicago.
- Cliffs in wilderness areas like Acadia National Park in Maine.
Consulting eBird and regional birding resources can also help locate recent peregrine falcon sightings near you.
Likelihood of Seeing a Peregrine Falcon
The likelihood a person will encounter a peregrine falcon largely depends on:
- Where you are – more likely along coasts and mountains than flat inland areas.
- The time of year – more likely during spring and fall migrations.
- How much effort is made to find them – targeting known nest sites and perches.
- Luck and timing – being in the right place when one flies by.
For many casual observers, actually seeing a peregrine is an uncommon and lucky occurrence. However, birders who visit strategic migration watch sites or prime nesting habitats stand a much better chance with some effort. Overall, peregrine falcons can still be considered somewhat rare for random sightings across much of North America away from their core habitats.
Sighting Frequency and Commonness Relative to Other Birds
Compared to many other more frequently seen bird species, peregrine falcons are still relatively uncommon across much of North America. Some examples of difference in abundance:
Species | Estimated Population | Likelihood of Sighting |
---|---|---|
Peregrine Falcon | 3,500 breeding pairs in U.S. and Canada | Rare to uncommon away from core habitat areas |
Red-tailed Hawk | Over 2 million in U.S. and Canada | Common and widespread |
American Crow | Over 300 million in North America | Abundant, sightings very likely |
So while sighting chances are higher in certain areas and during migration, peregrine falcons are still notably less common across most of the continent than more widespread raptors like red-tailed hawks or other corvids like American crows.
Conclusion
In summary, peregrine falcons are relatively uncommon compared to many bird species, but they are not exceptionally rare. Their populations have recovered substantially from historic lows, but total numbers are still limited. Sightings are more likely in coastal areas, during migration, and for birders visiting known nesting territories. With some effort, seeing a peregrine falcon in the wild is a reasonable possibility. But casual sightings away from core habitat areas are still infrequent enough that getting a glimpse of one remains a special experience for many bird enthusiasts.