Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pygmy Nuthatch
PEREGRINE FALCON
Fairly common along the cliffs just below the rim at Bryce
Canyon, and occasionally seen at Zion, peregrine falcons have wingspans that of-
ten exceed 3 feet, which helps make them one of the world's fastest birds, able
to exceed 200 mph. They're known to breed at Zion and sometimes nest in the
Weeping Rock area. Their back and wings are usually slate-gray or blue-gray, and
this color projects vertically down their face in bands over their eyes. The rest of
their face and neck is a light gray or white, and underneath, these falcons are usu-
ally a medium gray. During peregrine falcon nesting, which takes place from early
spring to July, some areas at Zion National Park are off-limits to rock climbers.
Pesticides drastically reduced the number of peregrine falcons in America in the
1950s and 1960s; and by 1970, there were only 39 breeding pairs known to exist in
the continental United States. But after years on the endangered species list, they
are on the increase again, thanks to a ban on many pesticides; in 1999, there were
sufficient numbers of the birds that they were removed from the list. Interestingly,
you'll also see peregrines in cities, where they nest on tall buildings or bridges and
dine on pigeons.
