Peregrine Falcon

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the "Duck Hawk" in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache". Typical of bird-eating raptors, Peregrine Falcons are sexually dimorphic, with females being considerably larger than males, one of the few vertebrate animal species with larger females.[citation needed] The Peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching speeds of over 325 km/h (202 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop, making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom.