Species

Species	Peregrine - Falco peregrinus, bird
Habitat	SEA CLIFF AND SLOPE
Background and status	The peregrine is a member of the falcon family and around one fifth of the world’s population is found in Europe, with the UK having the second highest population at around 1200 pairs. Peregrines feed mostly on pigeons and other birds, diving on their prey from above. The most popular nesting places are cliff ledges but peregrines are an adaptable species nesting also in quarries and sometimes on occupied buildings.
Main Threats	Pollution by pesticides and possibly marine pollutants (such as poly-chlorinated biphenyls) may still pose a threat. However, persecution remains the main threat now, through illegal culling and poisoning, and nest robbing by egg collectors or those supplying a clandestine trade for falconry.
Conservation	Protection of nest sites may aid conservation, but a better understanding of the bird’s background and status may help reduce persecution based on misconceptions, especially regarding peregrines and racing pigeons.