Palisade’s story 

Palisade was acquired through the generous support of a loyal TRC donor and purchased from Andy Weaver, a falconer who teaches biology at Stillwater Area High School in Stillwater, Minn. This particular peregrine falcon was bred in captivity by Weaver, who breeds falcons in special breeding chambers and involves his students in observations of the breeding birds and their chicks. Falconers like this have been instrumental in the recovery effort after large numbers of peregrine falcons disappeared due to the chemical pesticide DDT.

Facts about Peregrine Falcons

Average lifespan 

As with most raptor species, there is much to learn during the first year of life for peregrine falcons. If peregrine falcons surpass the one-year mark in the wild, they can live into their teens. In captivity, peregrine falcons have lived as long as 25 years.

Migratory pattern 

Peregrine falcons are found on every continent except Antarctica, and most populations migrate. Some individuals travel more than 15,000 miles in a year between nesting grounds on the tundra and wintering Diet habitat in South America.

Diet 

In the wild, peregrine falcons hunt birds, bats, small reptiles, and small mammals.