The Peregrine, the fastest bird in the world, has made a remarkable recovery over the past 30 years. As the species re-establishes itself around the world it is becoming a familiar sight in towns and cities.
This beautifully illustrated book is the first in-depth focus on the lives of Peregrines in towns and cities. In words and stunning photographs, Ed Drewitt reveals the latest information on Peregrine behavior including how they are adapting to, and taking advantage of, the urban environment.
The book is also a how-to-guide, with information on finding peregrines, studying their diet, ringing individuals for research, putting up nest boxes and enabling people to learn more about them through public viewing points or web cameras.
Ed also discusses what makes a Peregrine urban, their contemporary relationship with people, and helps dispel some myths and reveal some truths about this agile predator.
Author(s): Ed Drewitt
Publisher: Pelagic Publishing
Year: 2014
Language: English
Pages: 223
City: Exeter
Contents
About the author
Foreword
Preface
Why write a book about urban Peregrines?
The Peregrine
The Peregrine
Why is the Peregrine found worldwide, while other similar speciesare not?
What makes the Peregrine so successful in urban places?
Facial features and skull
What does a Peregrine see?
Seeing colours
Nictitating membrane
Taste and smell
Magnetoreception
How fast is the Peregrine?
Peregrine's size
Sexual dimporphism
Moult and preening
Leg colour
Age
What is an Urban Peregrine?
How to Spot a Peregrine
When is a good time of the year to spot Peregrines?
What to do if you find a Peregrine
A Year in the Life of an Urban Peregrine
Late summer
Autumn and winter
How many Peregrines visit urban sites?
In the North
Preparing to breed
Spring and early summer
Cooperative breeding
Peregrines as cooperative breeders
Extra-pair copulations
Polygyny
Inbreeding
Food and Feeding
What is their success rate?
How do Peregrines catch their prey?
What do Peregrines eat?
What are the common prey items?
Pigeons
Starlings
Woodland, garden and farmland birds
Wading birds
Seabirds
Gulls
Corvids
Other raptors
Caged and escaped birds
River birds and waterbirds
Hirundines and swifts
Bats
Ringed birds
Nocturnal hunting
Attacking other birds, and being attacked
How to Study Peregrines
Studying the diet of urban Peregrines
How do you know if the feather has been plucked by a Peregrine or simplybeen moulted?
How do you know if the feathers are not from a Sparrowhawk kill?
A step-by-step guide to collectingand sorting prey remains
Peregrine feathers
Providing a nest box
The Internet and web cameras
Some further questions and thoughts to consider
Setting up a peregrine watch
Key things to consider
Liaising with landowners and stakeholders involved with Peregrines
Top tips
Risk assessments
Ringing Urban Peregrines
Tips for ringing Peregrines
Key things to remember when ringing Peregrines
Involving the media
What does Peregrine ringing tell us about their movements?
Myths about Peregrines
Myth 1: Urban Peregrines just feed on pigeons
Myth 2: The bird killing the pigeons in my garden is a Peregrine
Myth 3: Is a Peregrine an eagle or a hawk?
Myth 4: Rather than catching prey on the fi rst hit, Peregrines giveit a glancing blow
Myth 5: Peregrines hover
Myth 6: Peregrines and Ravenslive in harmony
Myth 7: Peregrines eat big urban gulls and help control theirnumbers
Myth 8: Peregrines will controla population of pigeons
Changing Threats and the Future of the Urban Peregrine
The law
The story from the past
What’s the future for urban Peregrines?
London
Predator–prey dynamics
Wind turbines and power lines
Hybrids
Recreation
Other disturbances
People and Peregrines
The Racing Pigeon
Other conflicts
So how can these conflicts be resolved?
Looking out for the safety and welfare of urban Peregrines
Peregrines and children
Visiting schools
Messages to people
Where Next?
Web cameras
Organisations
Further reading
For children
Acknowledgements
Photographers
Index
