Birds Of Japan 56:The Peregrine Falcon ハヤブサ
Scientific name: Falco peregrinus
The Peregrine Falcon is one of the most powerful and spectacular birds of prey in Japan. In Japanese it is called ハヤブサ / Hayabusa. It has a dark slate-gray back, barred white underparts, a black hood and moustache, and long pointed wings built for high-speed flight.
The Peregrine Falcon is famous for its extraordinary hunting dive. It can fold its wings and plunge from great heights at tremendous speed, striking birds in mid-air. Its powerful talons and sharp hooked bill allow it to quickly dispatch prey.
In Japan, it is found mainly around coastal cliffs, rocky mountains, islands, river valleys, and open landscapes where it can hunt. It may also use tall buildings and bridges in some urban areas. Japan's steep coastlines provide particularly important nesting habitat.
Range in Japan: Widespread across Japan in suitable rocky and open habitats
Diet: Mainly birds; occasionally bats and other small animals
Season: Year-round resident, with some seasonal movement
Size: About 38–51 cm; females are considerably larger than males
Nesting: Usually nests on cliff ledges; rarely builds a nest, using a scrape or existing ledge
Behavior: Extremely fast aerial hunter; often hunts birds in spectacular high-speed dives
Conservation: Protected native raptor; nesting cliffs and undisturbed breeding sites are especially important
Peregrine Falcon ハヤブサ
The Peregrine Falcon is a powerful and highly specialized bird of prey, found in Japan along rugged coastlines, cliffs, mountains, open country, wetlands, and increasingly around cities. It has a dark slate-gray back, barred white underparts, a black hood and moustache, and long, pointed wings built for fast and agile flight.
Famous as one of the fastest birds in the world, the Peregrine Falcon hunts mainly birds in mid-air. It can soar high above the landscape and then make a spectacular high-speed dive, known as a stoop, striking its prey with extraordinary precision. Pairs often nest on cliffs or other high ledges where they have a wide view of the surrounding territory.
Category
Falcons, Birds of Prey, Raptors
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Coastal Cliffs, Mountains, Open Country, Wetlands, Urban Areas
Region
Worldwide, including Japan, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas
Behavior
High-speed Diving, Aerial Hunting, Soaring, Territorial Pairing
Population
Widespread; Recovering or Stable in Many Regions
ハヤブサ Peregrine Falcon
ハヤブサは、海岸の断崖、山地、開けた平地、湿地などに生息する 力強い猛禽類です。日本では海岸や山地だけでなく、近年は都市部の 高層建築物などでも繁殖する姿が見られます。青みを帯びた黒灰色の 背中、白い下面、黒い頭部と太い頬ひげ、そして高速飛行に適した 長く尖った翼が特徴です。
世界最速の鳥として知られ、主に空中で他の鳥を捕らえます。 高い場所から獲物を見つけると、翼をたたんで急降下する 「急降下（ストゥープ）」によって驚異的な速度で獲物に接近します。 繁殖期には断崖や高い建造物などの安全な場所に巣を作り、 周囲を見渡せる広い縄張りを守ります。
Category
ハヤブサ科、猛禽類、肉食性の鳥
IUCN Status
低危険種
Habitat
海岸の断崖、山地、開けた平地、湿地、都市部
Region
日本を含む世界各地に広く分布
Behavior
高速飛行、急降下による狩り、空中での捕食、縄張り行動
Population
世界的に広く分布し、多くの地域で安定または回復傾向
