Falco Peregrinus Minor is the smallest subspecies of peregrine falcons. Though they may weigh as little as 11 ounces or 200 grams, they are every bit the hunter that their larger cousins are. This beautiful print was part of the 1874 Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum. Somewhat unique among birds, the female peregrines are larger and more boldly colored than their male counterparts.
This species, oddly enough, was first described by Napoleon in 1850. They can be found in sub-Saharan Africa but are primarily found in Southern Africa. It is non-migratory. The females are much darker than the males. While the males are generally white, cream and browns; the females have an almost black back, wings and tail.
Feel free to click on the book plate shown below to access the largest version of this falcon drawing we have.
This image is copyright free and in the public domain anywhere that extends copyrights 70 years after death or at least 120 years after publication when the original illustrator is unknown.
