Peregrine falcons are large birds with distinctive blue wing feathers. In the sport and art of falconry, these raptors or birds of prey are trained companions of humans. This fine art wildlife photograph shows the colors and details in the bird’s feathers.
The peregrine falcon is an endangered species “success story.” Peregrines were added to the endangered species list in the 1970s, because the widespread use of pesticides such as DDT negatively affected the strength of the falcons’ eggs and many baby birds were lost. By 2008, the populations of peregrines recovered enough that they have been removed from the endangered species list. Their recovery is due in part to the ban on DDT, protection of nesting places, releases of rehabilitated birds back into the wild, and the protection given these falcons by being on the endangered species list.
