Here's Why Peregrine Falcons Are the Top Guns of the Sky | Deep Look

Peregrine falcons catch other birds mid-flight by diving at more than 200 mph. To do it, they need some high-precision gear: special eyesight, talons and aerodynamics that can't be beat.
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DEEP LOOK is a ultra-HD (4K) short video series created by KQED San Francisco and presented by PBS Digital Studios. See the unseen at the very edge of our visible world. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.
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While known for being the world’s fastest bird-peregrines have been clocked at diving more than 200 miles per hour-these majestic birds were at risk for going extinct 50 years ago. Widespread use of pesticides such as DDT decimated native populations of peregrine falcons.
By 1970, California’s peregrine population had dwindled to only two known nesting pairs statewide. The federal government banned DDT in 1972. And successful restoration efforts spearheaded by organizations like The Peregrine Fund helped revive their numbers. By 1999, they were removed from the federal Endangered Species List. Recent surveys estimate that there are now 300 to 350 nesting pairs in California and more than 2400 pairs nationwide.
---+ Read the entire article on KQED Science:
www.kqed.org/science/1944037/...
--- What’s the origin of the Peregrine Falcon's name?
Peregrine is Latin for "Peregrinus," which means “traveler” or “pilgrim.”
--- How many eyelids do raptors, or birds or prey, like peregrine falcons have?
They have three! Two eyelids are used for closing their eyes, while the third is used for blinking. It’s also called the nictitating membrane and helps to protect their eyes and keep them moist and clean. It’s semi-transparent, so they can actually still see through it when it’s closed.
--- Did you know they have a special bone to protect their eyes?
It’s called a sclerotic ring and helps support and secure their eyeballs within their skulls.
---+ For more information:
Visit The Peregrine Fund
www.peregrinefund.org/
---+ More Great Deep Look episodes:
Things With Wings: • What Makes Owls So Qui...
---+ Shoutout!
---+ 🏆Congratulations 🏆to the following fans for coming up with the best emoji or ASCII tributes to this fine feathered bird in our community tab challenge:
Sandcastle •
ɐɯɹɐʞ ɐıuɐɯ
lieutenant giwaffe
Sectumsempra, b****!
Sweetle pie.3.
Go look at all the entries here!
/ @kqeddeeplook
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#peregrinefalcon #bird #deeplook

[@lexuanhai6999]

I love how the peregrine falcon's scientific name is just Falco Peregrinus.

[@bunabobby]

Xuân Hải Lê hands off my bread!

[@danboekenoogen4957]

Buna prey*

[@anomaly395]

"Personally, I prefer the air"

[@UNLebanon]

Bison bison was already taken. I bet you'll never guess by who!

[@blixer5757]

It barley changes XD

[@ayyashmuhamed]

*fighter jets are unfeathered perigrin falcons*

[@--Paws--]

More or less true. Yet the curves, grooves and the shape of some aircrafts sort of imitate feathers. At the trailing edge of the wings (the back end); the ailerons, spoilers and flaps imitate the divisions of the feathers of a bird's wing. The same goes for the tail of the aircraft; the shape is similar to a bird, and the rudders and elevators also imitatete the feathers on a bird's tail.

[@ptrap1106]

lol

[@chillpenguin9578]

_Paws_ thanks, science side of KZbin.

[@cutiepie_gacha3357]

Ayyash Muhamed XD

[@oculophilia918]

Tubercles. wow that weren't just being cute with the title.

[@plantman6771]

Peregrine Falcon when it sees food: *I am speed*

[@marquis_ugly23]

@@bluejolt7821 that are kinda dead

[@elisefication790]

I'm faster when mom pulls out her slipper

[@carrotsoup9551]

if it aint me

[@danehales2021]

Lol my favorite comment

[@a.thomas1701]

I bet it thinks to itself “Kachoww”

[@joshyqfang4919]

I didn't know the marks on football player's face can reduce glare, I thought it was a fashion thing.

[@creaturesoul4469]

Yeah, it’s also why Cheetahs have those thick black lines under their eyes, so they can keep track of their prey in such a flat sunny place like the savannah.

[@patana256]

Ancient egyptians used to wear black around their eyes for this same reason.

[@PeterWalkerHP16c]

@@patana256 ...mainly at rock concerts

[@kmutbutt1996]

Blew my mind with that one

[@WanderTheNomad]

Wikipedia says there isn't any conclusive evidence that it does reduce glare, but it doesn't hinder performance and might act as a placebo.

[@litrim1285]

Thanks to this video, I just learned about the Peregrine Falcon, the purpose of the black marks on football players’ faces, and an integral feature of jet fighters. Keep up the good work, Deep Look! Thank you!

[@carloscruzarce9424]

LitRim1 same here dude! All of that just blew my mind

[@alveolate]

the function of those black marks might not be scientifically proven tho.

[@SirSpinalColumn]

The cone on the engines of a sr71 blackbird (pictured) is actually to redirect the shockwave away from the inlets when travelling faster than sound. The cone moves forward and back depending on speed so the engine can operate at peak efficiency. This is only necessary on the very fastest of jets, not your typical fighter jet.

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

@@SirSpinalColumn You're close. It's actually to direct the shockwave to the very lip of the inlet. All supersonic aircraft with movable inlet spikes/ramps do this.

[@panicattheeverywhere2321]

Finally a comment that is original, and not a unfunny meme/joke comment. Your amazing XD

[@_ninthRing_]

Their primary (or deep) *Foveas* are actually much more densely packed with retinal cells than in humans, allowing for much higher resolution vision that what we're capable of. They've also got translucent, protective secondary eyelids, and very egg-shaped eyes (compared to humans), both which are adaptations to the incredible speed that they achieve during diving attacks. Their eyes actually squish back into their sockets, forced into a more spherical shape under the intense acceleration stresses!

[@thesinisternefariouslama9170]

So cool

[@johnjosephocampo1181]

So their body is literally built for speed!

[@_ninthRing_]

@@johnjosephocampo1181 Exactly. Evolving over millennia to move & think faster than virtually any other organism on Earth. They can even survive G-Forces which would kill a human. Astounding!

[@boss_niko]

@@_ninthRing_ Animals have such amazing features.

[@Zombie_Longwinger]

Third eyelid you mean they have an upper a lower and the nictating membrane

[@fatsiddog]

My Father is a falconer, I’ve been around peregrines most of my life. To witness their speed and agility is mind blowing no matter how many times you see it.

[@AmberU]

Im jealous i bet its just captivating to see!

[@fatsiddog]

@@AmberU If you ever get tue chance too see them on action. Do not miss it! 😊

[@rogue7723]

A falconer? That’s so badass 😊. Can they play fetch?

[@boss_niko]

You are a noob why is your father captivating them?

[@laericastitt5506]

BRUH HOW COME EVRYONE HAS SEEN A PIGEON BUT IVE NEVER SEEN ONE IN MY WHOLE LIFE LIKE BRUH :(

[@PeterKKraus]

They took cues from the Peregrine for the F-16. That's why they're called Fighting Falcons.

[@ZFKATNBADGER40]

Too kewl!!

[@stankahuna5271]

they call f-16 vipers now

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

@@sjvkkh Just "Falcon". Not "Fighting Falcon".

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

@@stankahuna5271 We have always called F-16s "Vipers". Who here can guess where the Viper name comes from? No looking it up. That's cheating.

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

And we did not take any design cues from animals for the F-16.

[@-jalena-5512]

*Two minutes: Deep Look posted a video* *BISH I AM OUT OF MY COMA.*

[@aspenastral9068]

@HiIamFin comical*

[@horsemann7354]

dis bird eating the asian pigeon with some sweet & sour souce

[@varda3676]

@@aspenastral9068 It was a pun

[@Dinoman972]

@@aspenastral9068 Oh great, the joke flew over you head. Now the falcon is gonna eat it.

[@aspenastral9068]

@@Dinoman972 I get the joke now, no need to whoosh me-

[@scarpolargaming7535]

Awesome you did video about my favorite bird peregrine falcon 🤗

[@chamachuchi]

ikr

[@kinomora-gaming]

This is the most pure comment on youtube

[@Rowan3733]

Such an innocent comment. It must be PROTECTED

[@morgansmith334]

How fast do you want to be? Peregrine: yes

[@TheSuperMisterious98]

2:39 look how badass it is when he dives. amazing

[@demosthenes995]

The music for these high quality videos is soooooo good. And it's all original!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Yep! Seth G. Samuel writes our music for every episode.

[@dieforme666]

I felt maybe the tuba wasn't exactly the best instrument for such a sleek powerful animal right? 🤣

[@Aeturnalis]

Falcons are such incredible and beautiful birds. Everything about them has evolved to make them efficient hunting machines, they're like cats of the sky.

[@thereisnothinghere1473]

Can you do a video about a blue ringed octopus?

[@The_Essential_Review]

You mean your mom? OOOOOHHHHH!!!!

[@thereisnothinghere1473]

@@The_Essential_Review i've heard about this joke multiple times

[@safespace4680]

@@The_Essential_Review just stop.

[@sinder_seas]

@@The_Essential_Review they are very smart

[@alveolate]

i prefer octopodes, just to flex my etymological superiority :D

[@ArizonaAirspace]

Falcons are definitely my favorite animal. As a pilot, I am in awe of their ability to fly. We will never be able to fly like falcons but at least we can imitate them to the best our technology can provide us with.

[@DreamDaddie]

Peregrine Falcons were always my favorite bird, I always thought they looked cool. Thank you for the video Deep Look!

[@gustasyaeful]

3:19 Pigeon : *Mayday!! Mayday!!!*

[@RevZman]

I love how it has amazing eyesight yet can't tell that the lure isn't actually a pigeon.

[@jocelynuy2922]

BROOOO💀💀💀💀

[@prabhatsing]

She's playing with the falcon's instinct to kill anything moves similar to prey other than that falcons are badass killers and ultra hd vision ( sometime i wish i was a falcon man i soo want that)

[@user-kt7xp9mk7n]

Please, make video about penguins or flamingo. I think this birds are really interesting and the way how you talk about animals will probably be the best in this topic!

[@justmavi7999]

nobody: *flies faster than peregrine falcon*

[@jimbobaggans1564]

The sharp shinned hawk has a similar build. They never bother my chickens but they will fly really low and fast over them. It puts the chickens into a panic for a few seconds. I think the hawk is amused by it. It does it almost every morning. You would think that the chickens would get used to it by now.

[@ilIegaIBugTrader]

“They are basically feathered fighter jets” Us air force: I’ll take your entire stock

[@Enneamorph]

Falcons: speed Hawks: agility Eagles: strength Owls: stealth

[@thewhowhatwherewhyho]

Vultures: trashcan

[@PsyduckGaming1]

Finally my fav bird mannn thank youuuu deep look !!! Love your videos and quality of your awesome content #nature lover

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You are welcome.

[@viktorbihar5384]

Faster than the cheetah, too! The cheetah has it's own odds to defy, so does this amazing thing.

[@sleekoduck]

Peregrine falcons are the best. I agree with the other duck.

[@user-sm1qq1op8j]

2:33 The peregrine falcon's stoop reminds me of the way an F-14 Tomcat sweeps its wings back.

[@luftwaffle3766]

Maverick

[@josephlopez2138]

Pigeon: Dont say it, dont say it! Falcon: On your left!

[@grim1115]

Is it just me or are they so pure and cute

[@surabhi_kumari]

" Dinner is served. " Life is complete now.

[@vt_973]

it certainly is for that pigeon

[@buatareddevils2636]

Peregrine Falcons signature move : Brave Bird(Air Dive)

[@viktorbihar5384]

Keep in mind, you can't just throw something from a hight and have it go that fast. Wings and aerodynamics, is a thing.

[@therealrosen]

Finally a new Deep Look video! Best show ever thank you for your hard work ❤️

[@dotpin7809]

Someone give a thumbs up to deep look with the same speed as the falcon zeroing down on your phone and to breath properly watch more Deep Look videos.Great videos as always

[@wolfmin1105]

The peregrin is so *PECULIAR*

[@MochYee]

Not as peculiar as its children, I hope...?

[@yiminglow9881]

Ha! I get this reference

[@HizkiaHuwae]

I'm glad I understand this

[@Albukhshi]

You want to know how peculiar? It's not closely related to eagles and hawks; it's actually closer to songbirds and parrots.

[@scoldedknight9753]

Hey kadita

[@Mr_Stinky85]

Deep Look has finally made a video about my favorite bird; and one of my top 3 favorite wild animals. 😍 Peregrine Falcon: badass of the skies!

[@5amH45lam]

What a great video! Never seen any Deep Look videos before, but I'll be seeing them again! Thanks! 👍

[@texasrockshillcountry6574]

AWESOME video, and shared with my Facebook Group! Thank You!

[@lavenderrroses]

Peregrine Falcon... *Wild Kratts Flashbacks*

[@Buttikoferiii]

Lavender Roses I loved that show

[@AmazingNatureRelaxation]

LOVE these DEEP looks. Soo cool to see all the things most BIG science programs ignore. Thanks so much for putting in all this work. -H

[@CityWalks]

I know. Soo cool to see these other subjects. Though Peregrines have been covered a ton. but not like this.

[@Travelingmel]

Yep. Agreed.

[@chineseduckscriedinladakh3760]

Amazing!! The way and angles at which you guys shoot is just marvellous!! Lots of respect and salutes to whole team and specially the camera operators!

[@fernandof.h.9790]

Send my love to your sound mastering/engineer. It's mix so good.

[@dragoncurveenthusiast]

Everyone not from the US would appreciate km/h on screen when you mention mph

[@manuelsalvatierra2940]

Also if they ever mention temperature, add Celsius

[@user-sv5gq5hd2d]

Basically every other country use km 😅

[@creaturesoul4469]

I’m American and I agree they should have put Km/h up there too, probably even before mph considering it’s more widely used, especially with scientific stuff.

[@creaturesoul4469]

Molly McConnell Putting up both would probably be beneficial for the channel though. People have short attention spans, they’re more likely to come back to the videos if they don’t have to do conversions themselves. People are lazy. Also, Americans are taught conversions because the rest of the world uses the metric system XD

[@creaturesoul4469]

Molly McConnell My country is America actually, but yeah I get what you mean. With me something like that is a little difficult because I’m just awful at mental math, but it’s pretty simple to look up conversions when you need them.

[@fuckoffdavid2269]

BIRDDD SQAUUD WHERE YOU AT?? 😆😆

[@itsdalu3416]

I’m here gang

[@sheer9203]

Nowhere

[@Causeitsallthisgood]

Love this! Can't wait to see more from your channel!

[@emiliospowerballer1441]

I love this channels narrator. Her voice is smooth, satisfying and shes funny too.

[@fatsiddog]

My father flew peregrine falcons for decades. I grew up being his hunting dog, flushing game for the birds. I’ve seen these falcons do things in the air that are seemingly impossible!!! It was some of the best times of my life!!

[@fredokush7736]

Does this *Peregrine Falcon* come with *Heat seeking Missiles?*

[@karansjet3823]

it IS a heat seeking missile

[@ack434]

It's not a heat-seeking missile It's a food-seeking missile

[@viktorbihar5384]

I guess, but it also is one...., deep in its soul...😈😂

[@tomjary9284]

But some fighter jet also fold their wings inwards when it reaches mach 3 speed. It mimick the falcon not the other way round.

[@ack434]

@@tomjary9284 Mach 2* No Mach 3 jets have utilized sweep wing structures. Best example is the F-14 Tomcat.

[@ketogenicknowledge245]

Love your channel. Please keep it going.

[@amritatiwari8612]

Hey #deep look , thank you for sharing your knowledges and researches with us , I always find something interesting every time when my notification bell rings with your vlog , and secondly I always Loves your narrator's voice she is absolutly ,kind , polite and sounds in a very celestial way , i love her voice , Love you Deep look

[@theunknownartist9776]

I learn more from this channel than in my science class😂😂

[@sharanjitkaur2416]

Lol😂🤣

[@mrfrosty3]

When the Peregrine is in that stoop position the profile is just like the B2 Spirit bomber.

[@Synistercrayon]

Waaaaay more efficient and effective than a fighter jet, relatively speaking, of course.

[@fullyvictorious]

Dang I love your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@crysis4real]

The cameraman/woman couldn't keep up with the Falcon, what amazing bird !

[@Embrio]

2:29 "We're going ballistic Mav"

[@raydranorae144]

YEESSS , IVE BEEN WAITING FOREVER Thank you , Deep look

[@4lphah3nter45]

Amazing job, yet again! Much love from holland! ❤️

[@ramonvandebeek]

My father was a falconer, Serena his female Peregrine hunted crows for two decades. She was amazing! So fast! Her death was a real tragedy, just like his.. I hope that where they are now, they are still together..

[@emptybrainoffenders8033]

3:20 it’s missing a talon on the right side of the screen

[@tanmaykhamankar]

I love your videos they are awesome Keep going keep growing 😊😊😊

[@peterjongsma2754]

Very informative. Great talk and vision. Professional.

[@tylermurphy05]

“Is tHaT a ChIcKEn??”

[@jotarokujo9315]

can you do a video on how photosynthesis and trees and plants work

[@valeriedavila9649]

Love this channel it helps me learn

[@achannelofgaming8776]

YES NEW VIDEO I'M WAITING FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS!

[@falikoukhalilfofana9554]

Fighter jets are knockoffs Peregrines Falcons.

[@bennetdaison]

You guys didn't talk about it's eyes that shields from airborne dust particles... I'm sorry, but falcons are birds closest to my heart

[@KQEDDeepLook]

We did leave out the nictitating membrane, it's true...Didn't have time to include everything!

[@viktorbihar5384]

It's the lens, forgot what it's called, but it does have such a thing.

[@viktorbihar5384]

Y'all didn't mention it's the fastes animal too. You can't just drop something big and expect it drop at such speeds. The peragrine is faster than the cheetah, because it has its own odds to defy.

[@heavyrecoverygay6488]

Nice video deep. Keep going!

[@shoaibmms]

Lauren never fails to impress with her beautiful voice !

[@smog1562]

Are they the bird version of the navy??? 🤔😏😜 Love your vids❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💖

[@oxenthre7583]

No

[@Shadow92597]

"Nobody flies faster than the Peregrine Falcon" X-15 pilots: Am I a joke to you?

[@ScienceDiscoverer]

Using a mount is cheating!

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

@@ScienceDiscoverer Felix Baumgartner

[@FangHuiTeh]

Ever since I read about the Peregrine falcon when I was young, it was one of my favourite birds of prey, right up there with the barn owl. One for speed, and the other for silence. Both super cool.

A great video with details well explained. 👍

[@adriannalundasan7570]

Lady narrator: peregrine falcon is a feathered fighter jets. With that being said, the fighter jets are only featherless falcons.

[@keki4578]

I’m faster When i need to catch my bus

[@angellogarcia8254]

I love you guys! You guys are amazing!

[@dodecaheathenblue8132]

Love them....brilliant video !!!! ♡

[@falikoukhalilfofana9554]

"Peregrines Falcons are Jet Fighters with feathers."😳 Since when nature started copying human beings?!!!😲

[@taketimeout9623]

Given the prowess of this bird, should Ford have named the original car built between 1960s and 1970s, Falcon? Just curious. 🤔 I haven't formed an opinion yet.🙂

[@williamjordan5554]

Well, the Mustang was built on the Falcon platform, so maybe the mustang should be called falcon.

[@taketimeout9623]

@@williamjordan5554 That may have been a better idea! 😃

[@zulfu_ile_tebiet]

Finally! A video about my favorite speedy bois!

[@laughtoohard9655]

This is a really great, and well researched video.

[@blixer5757]

Falcon: I wonder what I'm gonna eat today... **See's pigeon** Falcon: Gonna have to break the speed limit for that pigeon.

[@grass4655]

Shoot I’m early I have to say something... I identify as an attack helicopter

[@The_Sloth_Trekker]

Love the way you narrate😘😘

[@biboyumandar1538]

They are wonderful and beautiful birds

[@chadman3801]

me:i have a meat the falcons: hehe boy

[@CoffeeLover101]

How are these comment is more than 1days ago?

[@jordynp942]

deep look gave them access.

[@lurking_silhouette5802]

Patreons get the special privilege.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Our supporters on Patreon get early access to our videos! www.patreon.com/deeplook

[@CoffeeLover101]

I see now

[@caloycalderon6805]

Omg

[@petermcdougall1152]

Pretty informative! Didn't know some of these things

[@thomasr.jackson2940]

Excellent soundtrack and editing. So many channels get that wrong. Good job.

[@wallj8720]

No one will understand this comment

[@nooramirulikhwan6349]

@@wallj8720 Did you just replied yourself?? 🤣

[@nooramirulikhwan6349]

Btw, that's a good joke. I'm impressed.

[@wallj8720]

@@nooramirulikhwan6349 yas sir thank u

[@void-xt8pw]

the amazon rainforest is burning down rn. its been going on for 16 days.

[@jamesbizs]

Noor Amir its not

[@hrgwea]

0:21 They FALL at 240 mph. Falling is not flying.

[@cysis7537]

3:46 The falcon: Mouah! Bon apatite!

[@sogwatchman]

The cones on the SR-71 in front of the jet engines are designed to correct air turbulence and mitigate shock waves created by supersonic flight. Anyway, thank you for the video on these iconic birds. I've always been fascinated by nature's pure approach to aerodynamics. It wasn't long ago we realized the wing tip feathers on a hawk flairing up was useful to reduce drag on our airplanes.

[@Ratigan2]

seems like you know a lot about planes

[@charlieandhudsonspal1312]

I have one of those bird gloves, now I need a falcon. Parakeet just ain’t cutting it

[@kanikahmendiola5158]

thank you for new video .. 😊😊💕💕

[@2icelollys1goat]

Superb video....thank you

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

Really cool video!

[@SKKEarth]

Very nice..I like it my friend..Great footage..Thanks for sharing this

[@toddv3877]

NEED MORE SO COOL LOOKING AND AWESOME!

[@theenthusiasticreindeer5514]

I have been watching your videos for some time now. Your videos are more interesting than my biology class at school.

[@trinidadsanchez3342]

Great channel I found 👍