| Endangered Species: Peregrine Falcon |
A Christiansburg Elementary Project
Submitted by Jeff of Christiansburg Elementary School
Christiansburg, Virginia, U.S.A.
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Peregrine Falcon
This image courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Photographer Unknown |
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Original artwork by Jeff
This original report may be found
on the Radical
Report Resources
pages completed by the Web Weavers
of Christiansburg Elementary School. |
Why Study This Topic?
I have enjoyed doing this report on the peregine falcon.
It is full of interesting facts. Just looking at this magnificent bird,
made me want to find out something about it. I wanted to do my report on
the peregine falcon right when I heard Mrs. Ney say which animals were
endangered in Virginia. I mainly wanted to do my report on the peregine
falcon, because I have always been interested in birds, especially eagles
and falcons. Another reason I was interested in this animal was that since
it is on the endangered species list, it would important to find out how
to save it from extinction.
Before I started my research, there was a few things
I already knew that I wanted to find out about the peregine falcon. I wanted
to know how and why it is endangered. After I found out how it became endangered,
I wanted to know what might happen to the peregine falcon if humans kept
harming them like they have been doing. I also wanted to find out how it
lives, its habitat, and what it looks like.
What Was Already Known
There were only a few things that I already knew about
the peregine falcon. I already knew that the peregine falcon was endangered,
and I also knew that it lives in Virginia.
Search for Information
I got a lot of information from many different places.
The main place I got information was from Karen Terwilliger's book Virginia's
Endangered Species. I also got some information from Encarta
encyclopedia on the computer. It gave me information such as the peregine
falcon's classified name, its size, what it looks like, and a great deal
of other information. Another place I got information from was some library
books that I checked out from the school library. The two books were called
Hawks Magic for Kids and Hawks. Both books were about falcon
adventures, but they still gave me lots of information.
I had a few problems while I was searching for
information. My main problem was that some of the research papers that
Mrs. Ney gave us were written at an adult level. Another problem was that
the information on the computer and in the books was very general on hawks
or falcons and did not cover the peregine falcon specifically.
Description of Plant or Animal
Adult peregine falcons have long, pointed wings that
are about 314 millimeters long. Their body underparts range from a dark
blue to a grayish color. They have pale bluish bills and their feet, like
most birds, are yellow. The top of their heads are black to their chest.
Their lower breast varies from white to pink and are barred with blackish-brown.
The tail, which is about 155 millimeters long, is very narrow and is blue-gray
and is rounded with narrow black bands. Young peregine falcons usually
are brownish on the top of their body and have a brownish throat. The female
peregine falcon is usually larger than the male peregine falcon. The total
length of this falcon is about 460 millimeters.
Habitat Requirements
The peregine falcon lives in a variety of habitats.
Some of these habitats include coastal waters, open valleys, tundra, and
very populated cities. Peregine falcon nests are probably found mostly
on cliffs, bluffs, talus slopes, and pinnacles. Nearly all these places
are located at high elevations. In the southern United States, peregine
falcons have been found nesting in hollowed out trees and in abandoned
nests of eagles, hawks, or ravens that are placed in the tops of trees
or on the ledges of cliffs. In Virginia, the peregine falcon has been found
nesting primarily in the Appalachian Mountains. If the falcon is nesting
in the city, it will probably be a man-made structure such as on a bridge,
tower, multi-story building, and sometimes an unusual place such as a ship.
Adaptations
Can you guess what the main predator of the peregine
falcon is? Its the predator of almost every endangered animal on this planet.
This falcon's main predator is man.
Reasons for Endangerment
Man is the responsible for DDT pollution, which is
a harmful chemical that is used to get rid of pest. When the farmer and
others put DDT on their plants, the rain water washes it into rivers and
lakes. The fish that are in the rivers and lakes get the DDT into their
systems. When the falcon eats the fish, it gets the DDT into its system.
Then when the female lays eggs, she sits on them to keep them warm. But
the eggs are too soft and break. Fortunately for the peregine falcon, DDT
and other harmful chemicals have been banned from use in the United States.
Another reason that the peregine falcon is endangered
is because its losing its home. When people construct more and more buildings,
its homes are destroyed.
Restoration Actions
People are starting to help the peregine falcon's
cause in a few ways. One thing that has helped their comeback is the banning
of DDT. Now there is hardly any problem with the falcon's eggs. Another
way that people have helped them is by putting some of the birds in captivity,
so they are safe while they are hatching their eggs.
To help insure that the peregine falcon is around
for future generation to see, I would go to schools and other public places.
There, I would encourage people to support the peregine falcon by introducing
more birds into the wild so humans can enjoy this wondrous animal. I would
also write letter to people in high places (legislatures) and tell them
how important animals are to us and what humans can do to help all endangered
species.
What Was Learned
I have learned a lot of things doing this report.
Some things I learned were about the animal and some things I learned were
about myself. The main thing I learned is that if an animal reaches the
endangered species list, it may take it decades to recover enough to get
off the list. I have also noticed that animals that are not as popular
do not get as much attention and may never get off the list.
I have learned a lot of things from this report
about myself. I have learned how to use my notes to make a good report.
The main thing I have learned is that a "We Search" report means that it
takes teamwork in the group. I think this is the greatest benefit from
doing this report, how to use teamwork.
Conclusions From Research
The peregine falcon is just one of many animals in
the world that are endangered or threatened. I think if people really care
about animals, like the peregine falcon, they should do something--even
if it is just a little bit. Everyone working together to help animals survive
in the wild may be the only way we can enjoy their beauty for future generations.
Bibliography
Terwilliger, Karen. 1991. Virginia's Endangered
Species. Pages 478-480, 485, 486, 499-501
Raptor Resource
Project
Return to Birds page.
If you would like to add to these Endangered Species
pages then email your contributions to Christiansburg
Elementary
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© copyright 1997 Christiansburg Elementary
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Last updated on March 3, 1998
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