Edgar's Story
Species: Peregrine Falcon
Hatched: 1999
Edgar was a wild hatched peregrine falcon. His grandfather was the first wild hatched chick in Missouri in over 100 years. Edgar was injured on one of his fledgling flights from the nest atop the Chase Park Plaza Building, and suffered a broken coricoid (similar to a human collar bone). Once his injuries were repaired it was hoped that he could again be released into the wild. However, it was soon apparent that even though he could fly, his banking and diving abilities were limited by his injury and he would probably not be able to catch enough prey to survive on his own.
Generally, Edgar is a very quiet bird, however, in the morning he shakes with excitement when he knows it is time to go to his station in the weathering area. One of his favorite activities is taking a bath--especially in the rain. After many years of travelling and performing in education programs, he is now a member of the Office of Wildlife Learning and can usually be seen in the weathering area behind the Visitor Information Center. Edgar is the darker of the two Peregrine Falcons on display.
To adopt Edgar, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: EDGAR. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!
Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:
peregrine falcon
Falco peregrinus
Description: large falcon; short tail; pointed wing tips; slate-gray above; black helmet on head; whitish neck; buff beneath; lightly barred breast; wing tips almost reach tail tip when perched; regional variations exist (very dark in the northwest to pale in the north
Sex: females have more brown than males
Age: juveniles are a dark buff color with heavy streaking underneath
Length: 16-20”
Wingspan: 3-3.7’
Weight: 1.6 lbs.
Habitat: open country, cliffs, cities
Status: once found across all of North America until pesticides such as DDT eliminated eastern populations, almost to extinction; pesticide banning and captive-breeding programs have helped with their recovery; seen year-round in the US, but uncommon to rare in the winter
Behavior: don’t build nests; lay 2-4 reddish, darker flecked eggs in cliff hollows; bare rocky outcrops, bridges or tall building ledges; 28 day incubation period by both parents; chicks leave the nest at 5-6 weeks; hunts by flying very fast and making dramatic swoops to catch prey in midair
Diet: small birds, large insects, small mammals
Vocalization: rapid “kek kek kek kek”, repeated “we chew” at nest
√ World Bird Sanctuary’s reintroduction program put over 300 peregrines back into Missouri’s wild
√ Peregrines are the fastest animals on earth and have been clocked diving at 287 mph
√ Three subspecies exist: pacific (Peale’s), tundra and the interior west
Hatched: 1999
Edgar was a wild hatched peregrine falcon. His grandfather was the first wild hatched chick in Missouri in over 100 years. Edgar was injured on one of his fledgling flights from the nest atop the Chase Park Plaza Building, and suffered a broken coricoid (similar to a human collar bone). Once his injuries were repaired it was hoped that he could again be released into the wild. However, it was soon apparent that even though he could fly, his banking and diving abilities were limited by his injury and he would probably not be able to catch enough prey to survive on his own.
Generally, Edgar is a very quiet bird, however, in the morning he shakes with excitement when he knows it is time to go to his station in the weathering area. One of his favorite activities is taking a bath--especially in the rain. After many years of travelling and performing in education programs, he is now a member of the Office of Wildlife Learning and can usually be seen in the weathering area behind the Visitor Information Center. Edgar is the darker of the two Peregrine Falcons on display.
To adopt Edgar, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: EDGAR. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!
Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:
- *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
- your personal visit.
- * Certificate of Adoption
- * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
- * Sponsorship Card
- * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
- * Life History and Natural History of the bird
- * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
- * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
- * Discounts on WBS Special Events
- * WBS Decal
Natural History
peregrine falcon
Falco peregrinus
Description: large falcon; short tail; pointed wing tips; slate-gray above; black helmet on head; whitish neck; buff beneath; lightly barred breast; wing tips almost reach tail tip when perched; regional variations exist (very dark in the northwest to pale in the north
Sex: females have more brown than males
Age: juveniles are a dark buff color with heavy streaking underneath
Length: 16-20”
Wingspan: 3-3.7’
Weight: 1.6 lbs.
Habitat: open country, cliffs, cities
Status: once found across all of North America until pesticides such as DDT eliminated eastern populations, almost to extinction; pesticide banning and captive-breeding programs have helped with their recovery; seen year-round in the US, but uncommon to rare in the winter
Behavior: don’t build nests; lay 2-4 reddish, darker flecked eggs in cliff hollows; bare rocky outcrops, bridges or tall building ledges; 28 day incubation period by both parents; chicks leave the nest at 5-6 weeks; hunts by flying very fast and making dramatic swoops to catch prey in midair
Diet: small birds, large insects, small mammals
Vocalization: rapid “kek kek kek kek”, repeated “we chew” at nest
√ World Bird Sanctuary’s reintroduction program put over 300 peregrines back into Missouri’s wild
√ Peregrines are the fastest animals on earth and have been clocked diving at 287 mph
√ Three subspecies exist: pacific (Peale’s), tundra and the interior west
Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.
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