Summary
Peregrine falcons — the fastest animals on Earth — have moved into cities, nesting on skyscrapers as if they were cliffs. Chris and Martin activate falcon creature power to experience a peregrine's legendary 240-mph hunting stoop and discover how these apex predators have adapted to an urban world.
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All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
The peregrine falcon was nearly wiped out by DDT in the 1960s — today it's a conservation success story, thriving in cities worldwide.
- What makes a peregrine falcon so fast? Name at least two features of its body.
- Why do peregrine falcons nest on tall city buildings? What does the city give them that a natural cliff would?
- The peregrine's recovery is called a conservation success story. What does that mean, and why does it matter?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: stoop, raptor, urban, apex predator, endangered.
Try it: Find your city or town on a map. Mark two or three places where a peregrine falcon might nest (tall buildings, bridges, towers) and write one reason why each spot would work.