9 September 2025
Yesterday I discussed that although many peregrines migrate, Pitt’s peregrines keep right here yr spherical. Let’s have a look at who migrates and who doesn’t with a concentrate on peregrines within the Americas.
Migratory peregrines
Peregrines eat birds for a dwelling so that they have to go away when their meals supply flies away on migration. In truth peregrines fly with their meals as a result of they’ll catch and eat birds within the air!
North America’s arctic peregrines all depart inside per week of the autumnal equinox (22 September this yr). In late October 2008 an immature arctic peregrine was passing via Pittsburgh when he acquired caught on a balcony. That is the best timing contemplating when he left residence. Examine his rescue right here.
Listed here are a number of the birds he would have eaten on the breeding grounds — American pipit, northern pintail and lapland longspur. They depart on the autumnal equinox.
This slideshow dramatically illustrates how shortly arctic peregrines depart on migration. The darkish purple blob in Arctic Canada within the week of 20 September is passed by the subsequent week.
Non-migratory peregrines
There’s lots for a peregrine to eat in North American cities all yr lengthy. Pigeons reside right here yr spherical and there’s an inflow of migratory starlings in winter.
In jap North America peregrines are current in cities throughout the shortest days of the yr — the week of the winter solstice 20 December. This map signifies a better focus of peregrines on the coast, most of whom are migratory, with scattered inland dots of non-migratory people.
Pittsburgh Peregrine Followers, discover how Pittsburgh is a darkish purple dot on the map. These are experiences of our resident peregrines. Good work, eBirders!
Watch as peregrine abundance ebbs and flows throughout the globe. Among the yr spherical places within the Southern Hemisphere are fascinating.
