Where did the peregrine falcon originate?

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a cosmopolitan species found on all continents except Antarctica. It has a wide distribution range, spanning Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, and Oceania. The species originated from the Old World, with early records dating back to around 1-2 million years ago in the Early Pleistocene. From its initial origins in the Old World, the peregrine falcon gradually spread to the rest of the world through natural dispersal, establishing breeding populations in various regions across different continents.