The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known simply as the Peregrine,[2] and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America,[3] is a cosmopolitan bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is a large, crow-sized falcon, with a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and moustache. It can reach speeds over 322 km/h (200 mph) in a dive, making it the fastest animal in the world.[4] As is common with bird-eating raptors, the female is much bigger than the male.[5][6] Experts recognize 17ââ¬â19 subspecies, which vary in appearance and range; there is disagreement over whether the distinctive Barbary Falcon is a subspecies or a distinct species.
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