National Marine Conservation Areas of Canada

Canada’s National Marine Conservation Areas System Plan

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Known for their spectacular dives when in pursuit of their prey, peregrines have been clocked at speeds of 125-250 km/hr. They feed primarily on other birds, including ducks, shorebirds, pigeons, song birds, seabirds, herons and even other birds of prey. After being decimated by pesticides in the 1970s and '80s, which affected the thickness of eggshells and prevented incubation, the endangered anatum subspecies of peregrines which breeds in southern Canada, is slowly making a comeback. Peregrines nest throughout most of the country on cliff ledges, often along the coast, but also on tall city buildings.