Did you know the peregrine falcon is an endangered species? Endangered means they are in danger of extinction. If we do not care for these birds they may not be alive much longer!

Peregrine falcons are medium sized birds with long narrow wings. They have very powerful claws and beaks. They use their claws and beaks to rip apart their prey. Peregrine falcons have blue-black heads and white underbellies with light brown stripes. The female is larger than the male.

Peregrine falcons can fly faster than a speeding car, and can reach speeds of 300 kilometres an hour. Their prey is other birds such as ducks and sparrows, which they catch in the air! They nest on the ledges of high cliffs and in tall trees. They have even been sighted nesting on the ledges of tall buildings!

Peregrines lay four to five eggs, but over half of young peregrine falcons die before their first birthday. Sometimes the young birds are blown off the ledge by strong winds. Sometimes they are prey to eagles or great horned owls. A peregrine's life span can be up to 13 years.

Poisons used on weeds and insects are the cause of the peregrine falcon's problems. People spray these poisons on plants that are eaten by animals such as sparrows and ducks. The peregrine falcon eats the sparrow or duck and consumes the poison. The poison does not kill the bird. It weakens the eggs the peregrine falcon produces. The eggshells are so thin that when the falcon sits on the nest, it crushes the eggs.

It is illegal to kill or harm peregrine falcons or their young. Today conservationists are raising peregrine falcons to be released into the wild. In this way the world will be repopulated with peregrine falcons, and the healthy and beautiful birds will be flying again!

Use the information from the story to help you answer these questions.

Use your pencil to fill in the small circle beside each correct answer.

1. This story is:

• Fiction
• Non-fiction
• Biography
• Folk-tale
• Mystery

2. Peregrine falcons are endangered. This means:

• Peregrine falcons can fly fast.
• Peregrine falcons nest on tall ledges
• Peregrine falcons are in danger of extinction.
• Peregrine falcons can live to be thirteen years old.
• Peregrine falcons eat small birds.

3. Why are peregrine falcon eggs crushed when the parents sit on them?

• Peregrine falcons have gotten too fat and heavy.
• Sometimes the eggs get blown off the cliffs or ledges.
• They have very powerful claws that break the eggs.
• Peregrine falcons have forgotten how to care for their young.
• Poisons eaten by animals the birds eat have caused the shells to weaken.

4. Peregrine falcons use their claws and beaks to:

• Clutch onto the high ledges on which they live.
• Break open their eggs after they are laid.
• Hang onto their young in windstorms.
• Rip apart their prey.
• Hold and eat seeds.

Using Information from the story and your own words, tell how people have caused problems for the peregrine falcon, and how they are trying to help.