Originally known as the duck hawk in North America, the peregrine falcon is a bird of prey endowed with keen eyesight, terrific speed of flight, and sharp talons. It is known to soar at speeds up to 389 km/h or 242 mph., making it the fastest living creature in the animal kingdom. Medium sized birds are their main source of food, although they also will eat small mammals, reptiles, and even insects. Peregrines mate for life and prefer nesting on cliff edges that overlook the neighboring terrain. In the early 1970s, Peregrines became endangered due to widespread use of certain pesticides. However, since the ban of DDT their populations have been restored. With its outstanding hunting skills, high trainability, and its ability to breed well in captivity, the peregrine falcon has become an exceptional falconry bird. “The Peregrine Falcon,” is a hand-painted digital image and photo composite created in Spadecaller’s Florida Studio on 3/31/2021.