The Peregrine Falcon (Falco
peregrinus) belongs to the family of the Falconidae which includes the common kestrel (Falco
tinnunculus), the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) and the hobby (Falco
subbuteo), all of which nest in Catalonia.
Male lesser kestrel with cricket
One of the chief traits of the Falconidae is that they do not make nests but rather make use of the nests of other species or lay their eggs directly on ledges and in holes in cliffs or high buildings. Another characteristic is the notch on their beak known as a "tooth". This is a sharpened protuberance used to kill their prey at high speed.
This said, the easiest way of recognising a Falconidae is by its flight silhouette: falcons have pointed wings and long, straight tails. The wings are not straight but rather form a highly characteristic angle created by a joint which forces the wing forwards. The neck is short and the head relatively bulky. In broad terms, the flight silhouette of falcons is reminiscent of a swallow (Hirundo
rustica), but much larger.
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