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PEREGRINE
FALCON
Falcon peregrinus
STATUS IN NEW ENGLAND:
HABITAT: Open spaces close to rivers or coasts with cliffs or bluffs, cities with high buildings.
FOOD: Birds, typically caught in flight - waterfowl, pigeons, doves, shorebirds, songbirds.
The word "peregrine" comes from the Latin
word "to travel" or "to wander". The Peregrine
Falcon is the fastest creature on earth, with a diving flight speed
of up to 240 miles per hour. They do not build nests, but choose a
high place and scrape a spot on the ground for their eggs. They live
on cliff ledges and buildings and are likely to return to the same
nesting ledge year after year.
Peregrine Falcons were disappearing all over North America by the
1960's. They were extinct east of the Mississippi River. One theory
suggested that this was due to poisoning from the use of the pesticide
DDT. By the 1970's the Canadian and U.S. governments passed laws to
protect endangered species. They also made the use of DDT illegal
in the United States. Peregrine Falcons, Osprey, and Bald Eagles have
all seemed to benefit from this change as they have begun to return
to the Northeast.
Tribute To ISIS
One of Wind Over Wings’ most admired raptors was Isis, the Peregrine Falcon, who was with us for eleven years. She participated in educational programs stunning adults and children with her beauty and teaching about the truly amazing features of the Peregrine.
Peregrine Falcons are avian hunters, catching birds in the air. This falcon, however, was unable to fly at all after having been hit by a car when she was a youngster. She loved to eat and was always on her favorite perch awaiting breakfast, a previously frozen quail. But early one morning in September, she wasn’t on that perch. I found Isis on the ground necessitating an immediate run to an emergency veterinarian. After an X-ray was taken, it was decided that Isis needed to go to Tufts Wildlife Clinic in North Grafton, Massachusetts. At Tufts, Isis underwent a variety of blood tests, X-rays and ultrasound. Dr. Maureen Murray discovered that Isis had an enlarged heart. Stabilized on medication, Isis returned home to Wind Over Wings days later. But sadly, Isis died within a week.
We have receive such meaningful tributes to Isis. Here are a few:
I can see her flying free at last, no more pain, no injured wing, graceful and beautiful. Pat Mulcahy
She was an iconic fixture at WOW & will be missed by all. Ken Mulcahy
Her spirit soars high I’m sure from the many years of love and devotion you shared. Mary-Beth Kaeser
She was such a magnificent creature. A true goddess! Pat Davidson
May the winds guide her in her new journey home. Sweet, curious, intelligent and most beautiful Isis. Heather Rowe
It’s so difficult to let go of Isis, who has been such an integral part of our lives. She has been a constant inspiration to us and to those who were blessed to know her. Magnificent in life, may her soul now grace the heavens. Patricia Cebrelli
We celebrate Isis’ life as a teacher and an inspirational ambassador. One of the most endearing compliments Isis ever received was from a little child. We were presenting Isis at a program at The Hole in the Wall Gang. The children in our audience had cancer. After learning about the extraordinary features of Peregrine Falcons, a little girl raised her hand and said, “When I come back, I want to be a Peregrine Falcon.” Hope Douglas
The Board of Directors of Wind Over Wings wish to thank ETP Marketing for this web site and
Ken Mulcahy for ongoing updates.
Wind Over Wings
PO Box 289, Dresden, ME 04342
(207) 809-9168