Observation of Shaheen Falcon Falco peregrinus peregrinator (Aves: Falconiformes: Falconidae) in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

There are several names for the Shaheen falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinator), including the Indian peregrine falcon, black shaheen, or directly shaheen.

As an Abuite, I aim to observe and document all the bird species found in this unique hill station in Rajasthan, India.

My home town, Mount Abu, has been the subject of quite a few bird checklists over the years. Many of them have shown species that aren’t native to this region. While I was a student here in Abu, I became fascinated by birds. Back then, I was quite an egg collector. I had collected the eggs of almost every bird I saw. I learned how to identify many birds from their calls in the wild.

In the early 1980s, when I returned to Abu, I observed the birds and took mental notes of their various activities. In 2009, I compiled a comprehensive list of all birds seen and observed here. Over a period of more than a decade, I photographed every bird I could come across, noting their numbers and where they were found. I explored most jungle trails in all four directions.

I spent many hours researching birders who have been to Abu. mentioning the Shaheen falcon. Having never seen this species before, I made it a priority that I would get it on my Abu list. It intI discovered articles that discussed the Shaheen Falcon Falco peregrinus peregrinus peregrinator, and it piqued my curiosity. researching the natural history of the falcon in Abu, I discovered that Butler (1875) shot a fine specimen at Mount Aboo on April 10, 1875, and met with it at the same site twice. Shaheen breeds at Mount Abu (Editors 1948)".

My first decent shot of Shaheen was on 25 Oct 2014. It has been a regular part of my life to keep track of this species. I have observed its hunting habits. Here in Abu, it is primarily their mating season. Courtship rituals are incredibly impressive, and I finally saw them this year after many years of watching. It’s one of the most splendid birds of prey. Their courtship rituals during mating season are exquisitely impressive, and I finally witnessed them this year after many years of observation.

Males use their flying skills to court females. The mating calls of both birds are astounding. The female spreads her tail from side to side. She also does a small performance on her whining calls. The male glides in and gently lands on the female’s back. We can see the specular sequence of their mating through the photographs I have posted. Words cannot depict what the pictures show.

Peregrine Falcons are lifelong partners. I have observed their courtship flights and aerial acrobatics. My first time observing them in courtship was this year. As the Falcon swooped towards the tower, it looked as if it was going to attack the bird perched on it. This was a mind-blowing experience. I captured their mating ritual in its entirety. I showed it in a slide show.

to see my slide shows click on the links

Peregrine falcon

Mating of the "Majestic Falco" The Shaheen Falcon Mount Abu.

To see the individual snaps of the sequence of the day click the link below

Majestic Falco

Keep tuned to this blog post will be posting the latest on the Falcons taken lately

References

Shaheen Falcon Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaheen_falcon

Shaheen Falcon of Mount Abu [1 week of July 2022.]

As the falcons learned to use their powerful wings in swoops and dives, it was a pleasure to watch them practice. The birds also had to learn how to balance. Even though they tried to snag prey several times, they were inexperienced and returned to their perch for the next attempt. In the end, they caught prey after many attempts and had to face several attempts by the Jungle Crow to steal it. It is my guess that the young birds flew off with their prey to their nesting site to avoid being mobbed by the crows.

The parent falcon would now and then snag a pigeon and come screeching for the young ones to feed on the prey. Overcast skies and misty conditions are challenges for these young falcons. Appreciate my photographs shot in these low light conditions,

2 July 2022