The female falcon is called the falcon; the male is called the tercel (from the German word terzel, which means one-third, since the male is roughly one-third the size of the female).

Anatomy: Peregrine falcons are about 15 inches (38 cm) long. The female is about 3 inches (7.6 cm) longer than the male.

Diet: Peregrine falcons are carnivores and hunt during the day (they are diurnal). They eat mostly birds, swooping down on their prey or simply overtaking them. They prey on sea birds, pigeons, waders, and other birds.

Eggs and Nests: Peregrine falcon nests are minimal, and are usually on the cliff ledges. Females lay 2-4 red-brown eggs in each clutch (a set of eggs laid at one time).