peregrine falcon

noun

1. a globally distributed falcon, Falco peregrinus, much used in falconry because of its swift flight: several subspecies are endangered.

peregrine falcon

noun

1. See duck hawk
   a falcon, Falco peregrinus, occurring in most parts of the world, having a dark plumage on the back and wings and lighter underparts See also duck hawk

Word History and Origins

Origin of peregrine falcon¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

The same is true of the Rock, in Morro Bay, where you surf in the shadow of a preserve for endangered peregrine falcons.

From Outside Online

When peregrine falcons are courting, they sometimes do “ledge displays,” bowing to each other and touching beaks on a ledge of a cliff.

From Washington Post

Eventually, there were more sightings of individual peregrine falcons but none ever “took up permanent residence,” park officials said.

From Washington Post

Since then, several peregrine falcons have nested, but no pair had successfully hatched chicks until this year, officials said.

From Washington Post

At Harpers Ferry, the Park Service in the early 2000s began to relocate peregrine falcons from man-made structures to the park, but none returned to nests there.

From Washington Post

Of the migratory birds of prey the kestrel is perhaps the first to arrive; the osprey and the peregrine falcon are among the last.

From Project Gutenberg

A peregrine falcon, from the wild, rocky coast to the west, came sailing on wide-reaching wings across the April sky.

From Project Gutenberg

The peregrine falcon (F. peregrīnus) is not so large as the jerfalcon, but more graceful in shape.

From Project Gutenberg

This bird is much larger than the Peregrine Falcon, and, indeed, is very little less than the great gerfalcon itself.

From Project Gutenberg

Let me now give a brief account of hawking with the Bhairi, or peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus).

From Project Gutenberg