Peregrine+Falcon

=Rodent Killer!= == **Why it Became Endangered**: Peregrine populations were once endangered due to pesticides like DDT.
 * Common Name**: Peregrine Falcon
 * Scientific Name**: Falco Peregrinus
 * Habitat**: This Type of Falcon is found on every continent except for Antarctica and lives in many types of places such as the tropics, desert, and maritime to the tundra. it can also be found above 1200 feet above sea level. this bird migrates very often and doesn't survive very well in cold weather.
 * Abiotic Factor**: DDT caused the female to lay thin-shelled eggs that were easily broken, killing the developing embryo inside. After the banning of DDT, in the United States, The Peregrine Fund released more than 4000 captive birds in 28 states over a 25 year period.
 * Biotic Factor**: The pesticides that one before endangered the peregrine species.
 * Niche**: Peregrines chiefly hunt birds such as starlings, pigeons, blackbirds, jays, shorebirds, and waterfowl, but will rarely take mammals, reptiles, or insects. Peregrines may use a variety of hunting techniques, but typically prey is captured in the air after fast pursuit or a rapid dive to catch the prey. Peregrine Falcons frequently nest near water on ledges of rocky cliffs or buildings, but occasionally will use abandoned stick nests of other species. They do not build nests, but scrape a small depression out of the soil. Peregrines lay 3 - 4 eggs, which are incubated for about 34 days. The young falcons fledge 5 - 6 weeks after hatching.
 * current population size**: There are between 2,000 and 3,000 breeding pairs of American peregrine falcons in Canada, Mexico, and the United States

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 * Conservation Efforts**: The primary method used to reintroduce falcons to the wild is called "hacking". This process involves placing 28-30 day-old birds into a protective box at a release site. When the young falcons are able to fly, the box is opened and the birds released. Food is provided until the birds are able to hunt successfully.=====

//**Work Cited**//: 1.)http://www.fws.gov/endangered/recovery/peregrine/qanda.html#fast 2.) http://www.docstoc.com/docs/22430960/Food-Web-of-the-Peregrine-Falcon
 * Picture source**:http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/printable/peregrine-falcon.html