The pigeons in the Algarve capital should watch out for the city’s latest resident: the fastest bird of prey in the world, with a diving speed which can reach up to 300 kph. It is still not known if the bird is here to stay or if it is just stopping off on its journey in order to have a good feed. In recent days, a peregrine falcon (falco peregrinus), has been sighted in Faro, a medium-sized bird of prey, which is not common in this part of the world.

The picture was sent to the Algarve Observer by a sharp-eyed reader, who said he had come across the bird “by chance”.

José Farias explained that, when he was going over the crossroads of the Av. 5 de Outubro with the Rua Ataíde de Oliveira, he had heard a strange sound and looked up and there it was observing everything that was going on quite a few metres below its perch.

Élio Vicente, a biologist at Zoomarine, was also in little doubt after seeing the picture, and said that, taking into account the bird’s profile and the size, everything suggests that it is a peregrine.

He explained that it was not amongst the commonest type in this area, but was a sample from the Nordic region, hence the grey plumage, rather than speckled brown as is more typical.

The biologist said that cities are excellent places for the diet of this type of animal, with a supply of pigeons and sparrows and that it was probable that it had escaped from a storm during migration and sought shelter here.

Fastest in the world

The peregrine falcon measures between 38 and 53 centimetres in length, with the females being bigger than the males. Their plumage is distinctive, with blue-grey tones on their back, wings and head, and white underparts barred with black. Their eyes are black and relatively big.

It is a solitary hunter which attacks other birds, in general pigeons or small birds which it hits with its claws in a steep dive and then kills with its beak.

It is the fastest creature on earth, with a diving speed which can reach 300 kph.

The species prefers habitats in mountainous or coastal areas, but it can also be found in large cities. There is a well known couple in Central Park in New York, where a small crowd usually gathers to see them.

However, it is not very likely that it will stay in the Algarve capital for long, bearing in mind that the reproduction season is approaching.

Élio Vicente said that Faro is a windy city, influenced by the sea, and he will want to find a mate, adding that it would only stay if, by some chance, a female were to appear.

For reader José Faris it will always be welcome; he said that it would avoid the birth of ever more pigeons and their droppings on everything from cars to balconies.

source: algarve observer