1. Speed: Peregrine falcons are the fastest animals in the world, reaching speeds of up to 240 miles per hour (386 km/h) during their stoops (dives) to capture prey.
2. Hunting prowess: Peregrine falcons are skilled hunters, capable of catching birds, small mammals, and even insects during flight. They use their sharp talons and hooked beaks to dispatch their prey quickly.
3. Eyesight: Peregrine falcons have exceptional eyesight, able to spot small objects from great distances. It is estimated that the peregrine falcon has eight times the visual acuity of the human eye.
4. Nest selection: Peregrine falcons typically build their nests on cliffs or other tall structures, usually near bodies of water where they can easily find prey. These nests are called eyries and are often lined with soft materials like grass and feathers.
5. Migration: Peregrine falcons are migratory birds, moving south for the winter to escape the colder temperatures in their breeding grounds. Some peregrine falcons travel thousands of miles during their migration.
6. Reproduction: Peregrine falcons typically lay 3-4 eggs at a time and the parents will take turns incubating the eggs and then hunting to care for their chicks (called eyasses).
7. Lifespan: Peregrine falcons can live up to 15 years in the wild, although their average lifespan is closer to 5-10 years.
8. Reintroduced species: Peregrine falcons were brought back from the brink of extinction in several areas, as populations were decimated by the use of pesticides in the mid-20th century. Thanks to conservation efforts, the peregrine falcon is considered a success story in wildlife conservation.