Spreading wings for takeoff, this impressive falcon is probably a female because of its large size. As in most raptors, males are smaller than females. The streaked underparts and gray cere make this a juvenile. The buffy underparts and broad facial stripe suggest this is a juvenile F. p. anatum, which is the breeding population in temperate North America. It is sometimes called the American Peregrine Falcon and formerly called the "Duck Hawk." In fact the word "anatum" means "duck." This subspecies was the subject of an intense recovery after being listed as an endangered species, but captive breeding and banning of DDT use in most of North America have been successful in bringing the species to a self-sustaining recovery, at least in Western North America. It was removed from the endangered species list in 1999.
