Did you know falcons are alive + well right here in WNC? In fact, a pair of peregrine falcons is currently nesting on Grandfather Mountain for the first time since 2008 .
In honor of this momentous occasion, let’s look at some fast facts about these super fly raptors.
- Peregrine falcons are permanent residents in the WNC mountains and live seasonally throughout the state and on each continent except for Antarctica.
- Of the 16 subspecies of falcons, three of them live in NC: the peregrine, the American kestrel, and the merlin.
- Move over, cheetahs. These raptors are the fastest animal on Earth, reaching a top speed of up to 240 miles per hour .
- Breeding pairs tend to be monogamous throughout their lifespan and return to the same nesting location year after year.
- They were once a federally endangered species and are still endangered in North Carolina, with an estimated 15 pairs nesting in the state annually.
- While they can live up to 20 years, their average life span is five to six years.
- Captive peregrine falcons have long been used in the sport of falconry .
Want to see some peregrine falcons live and up close? Outside of a chance encounter, we recommend these two spots for falconry lessons:
- Curtis Wright Outfitters , 24 N. Main St., Weaverville
- Carolina Avian Research and Education , 109 Olivia Trace Dr., Fletcher