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Peregrine Falcon or Shaheen Falcon (State Bird of Pakistan)
The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the Peregrine,and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America,is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache". As is typical of bird-eating raptors, Peregrine Falcons are sexually dimorphic, females being considerably larger than males.The Peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching over 322 km/h (200 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop (high speed dive),making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom. According to a National Geographic program, the highest measured speed of a Peregrine Falcon is 389 km/h (242 mph).
Taxonomy
The taxon was formally described by Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1837. It has sometimes been referred to as Falco atriceps or Falco shaheen.
Description
The Shaheen is a small and powerful-looking falcon with blackish upperparts, rufous underparts with fine, dark streaks, and white on the throat. The complete black face mask is sharply demarcated from the white throat. It has distinctive rufous underwing-coverts. It differs in all these features from the paler F. p. calidus, which is a scarce winter migrant to Sri Lanka.Males and females have similar markings and plumage; apart from size there is no sexual dimorphism.The birds range in length from 380 to 440 mm.
Distribution and habitat
The Shaheen is found in South Asia from Pakistan and Kashmir region over across to the Republic of India and Bangladesh in the east and to Sri Lanka and south-eastern China. In the Republic of India, it has been recorded in all states (except Uttar Pradesh), mainly from rocky and hilly regions. The Shaheen has also been reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Ecology and behaviour
The Shaheen is usually seen as a solitary bird, or in pairs on cliffs and rock pinnacles. Peregrines typically mate for life.Because of the size difference between a male and a female, a mated pair generally hunt different prey species. It is adapted to taking prey in the air and can achieve a speed of 240 kmh in level flight; when diving after prey it can exceed speeds of 320 kmh (200 mph).
Shaheens mostly hunt small birds, though medium-sized birds such as pigeons and parrots are also taken. Strong and fast, they dive from great heights to strike prey with their talons. If the impact does not kill the prey, the falcon bites the neck of its victim to ensure death.
In Culture
Peregrine Falcon or Shaheen Falcon is the State Bird of Pakistan.
In Pakistani literature, the Shaheen has a special association with the poetry of the country's national poet, Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
*upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Peales.jpg
Source:
List of birds of Pakistan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedi
National Symbols of Pakistan :: Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage (National Heritage & Integration Wing) :: Government of Pakistan
The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the Peregrine,and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America,is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache". As is typical of bird-eating raptors, Peregrine Falcons are sexually dimorphic, females being considerably larger than males.The Peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching over 322 km/h (200 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop (high speed dive),making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom. According to a National Geographic program, the highest measured speed of a Peregrine Falcon is 389 km/h (242 mph).
Taxonomy
The taxon was formally described by Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1837. It has sometimes been referred to as Falco atriceps or Falco shaheen.
Description
The Shaheen is a small and powerful-looking falcon with blackish upperparts, rufous underparts with fine, dark streaks, and white on the throat. The complete black face mask is sharply demarcated from the white throat. It has distinctive rufous underwing-coverts. It differs in all these features from the paler F. p. calidus, which is a scarce winter migrant to Sri Lanka.Males and females have similar markings and plumage; apart from size there is no sexual dimorphism.The birds range in length from 380 to 440 mm.
Distribution and habitat
The Shaheen is found in South Asia from Pakistan and Kashmir region over across to the Republic of India and Bangladesh in the east and to Sri Lanka and south-eastern China. In the Republic of India, it has been recorded in all states (except Uttar Pradesh), mainly from rocky and hilly regions. The Shaheen has also been reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Ecology and behaviour
The Shaheen is usually seen as a solitary bird, or in pairs on cliffs and rock pinnacles. Peregrines typically mate for life.Because of the size difference between a male and a female, a mated pair generally hunt different prey species. It is adapted to taking prey in the air and can achieve a speed of 240 kmh in level flight; when diving after prey it can exceed speeds of 320 kmh (200 mph).
Shaheens mostly hunt small birds, though medium-sized birds such as pigeons and parrots are also taken. Strong and fast, they dive from great heights to strike prey with their talons. If the impact does not kill the prey, the falcon bites the neck of its victim to ensure death.
In Culture
Peregrine Falcon or Shaheen Falcon is the State Bird of Pakistan.
In Pakistani literature, the Shaheen has a special association with the poetry of the country's national poet, Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
*upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Peales.jpg
*upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Falco_peregrinus_-Morro_Rock%2C_Morro_Bay%2C_California%2C_USA_-flying-8.jpg/600px-Falco_peregrinus_-Morro_Rock%2C_Morro_Bay%2C_California%2C_USA_-flying-8.jpg
*upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/PeregrineTubercle.jpg/751px-PeregrineTubercle.jpg
*upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Peregrine_Falcon_Kobble_Apr07.JPG/798px-Peregrine_Falcon_Kobble_Apr07.JPG
*upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Peregrine_Falcon_in_flight.jpg/800pxPeregrine_Falcon_in_flight.jpg
*upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/PeregrineTubercle.jpg/751px-PeregrineTubercle.jpg
*upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Peregrine_Falcon_Kobble_Apr07.JPG/798px-Peregrine_Falcon_Kobble_Apr07.JPG
*upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Peregrine_Falcon_in_flight.jpg/800pxPeregrine_Falcon_in_flight.jpg
Source:
List of birds of Pakistan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedi
National Symbols of Pakistan :: Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage (National Heritage & Integration Wing) :: Government of Pakistan