Guide Note: Falcons are considered the swiftest bird of prey, and were placed on the endangered species list in the 1970's, due to the heavy use of the pesticide DDT. After the ban of this pesticide, falcons began making a comeback, and were taken off the list in 1999.
Fast Facts:
- 39 species of falcons
- Peregrines are the largest
- Females are called falcons, males are tiercels
- They dive on their prey, at speeds up to 186 MPH
- They were killed during WWII, because they were preying on the carrier pigeons used for sending messages to the troops