AnimalsThe peregrine falcon is the fastest animal in the world when it dives on its prey from a height. It hunts other birds in flight and now nests on tall buildings in many cities.
Quick facts
- Scientific name
- Falco peregrinus
- Group
- Birds
- Diet
- Carnivore (eats other animals)
- Lives in
- Almost worldwide
- Habitat
- Cliffs, coasts, mountains and cities
- A young one is called
- eyas
- A group is called
- cast
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
How it is classified
Scientists sort living things into groups within groups. Reading down, each step is a smaller group, ending with the species itself.
- Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Aves
- Order Falconiformes
- Family Falconidae
- Genus Falco
- Species Falco peregrinus
Classification follows the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Other reference works arrange some groups differently. How classification works.
Is it in danger?
The peregrine falcon is listed as Least Concern. The species is widespread or numerous enough that it is not considered at risk of extinction at present.
This is the IUCN Red List category as recorded in Wikidata on 11 November 2026. The IUCN Red List itself is the authority and may carry a newer assessment. What the categories mean.