The Tiger of the Skies: An encounter with the Peregrine Falcon | Evolve Back Kabini

Summer had not yet arrived and winter had chosen to stay back at Evolve Back Kabini just a little longer. A low mist hovered over the calm waters of Kabini, its surface broken only by the gentle ripples of the early light. Beyond the far bank, the dark forest line of Nagarhole National Park stood watching, patiently.

Our boat had arrived and we were about to set sail when the morning calm shattered in a heartbeat! Out of nowhere a silhouette appeared like a mini missile - with a sharp, slicing call that split the air. A Peregrine Falcon was locked on its target and fast approaching. My fellow birders and I quickly grabbed our binoculars, unwilling to miss any part of the action.

The furious raptor had its wings folded tight against its body. As I followed its flight through my binoculars I couldn’t help appreciate how perfect Nature’s design was! The falcon’s streamlined, torpedo-shaped body with its pointed wings and stiff feathers reduced drag greatly, allowing it to dive at speeds exceeding 300 km/h. This bird is also notorious for its extraordinary high resolution binocular vision that enables them to detect or track its prey from over a kilometre away - that is about 6–8 times sharper than the average human.

The target was a fairly large Black Kite circling lazily over the riverbank, scanning for fish scraps or carrion. The falcon struck with explosive speed, but the kite twisted mid-air, surprisingly agile, its long forked tail acting like a rudder. Feathers burst into the air as the first blow glanced off. The kite screeched, banking sharply towards the open water, attempting to escape the predator with erratic, buoyant wingbeats.

But the peregrine is built for dominance and can take on any aerial opponent or prey. It climbed rapidly, reclaiming height in powerful arcs, then folded into another stoop. The air whistled around its body as it slammed into the kite’s flank with balled talons. The impact echoed faintly across the still reservoir. The kite faltered, fighting to stabilise itself.

For a few tense seconds, both birds locked in a spiraling descent — a vortex of feathers and fury. The kite snapped defensively with its hooked beak, but the falcon struck again, precise and relentless. Finally the kite broke away, fleeing to the forest’s edge, conceding the airspace. The peregrine climbed once more, triumphant against the pale winter sky, as the sovereign of the morning. What a start to the day!

In a book about birds, recommended by our Naturalist, I learned that the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is one of the most unbeatable birds of prey in the world—renowned for its breathtaking speed and hunting skills. The name it carries, “peregrinus” loosely translates to “wanderer,” and reflects the incredible journeys this species undertakes across continents. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone some day designed a fighter jet based on the shape and structure of this bird!

In India, peregrines arrive mostly as winter visitors. They come from Europe and Central Asia between October and March, and look for choosing open landscapes, wetlands, coastal areas, and sometimes urban environments as hunting grounds.

They can be seen scanning riverbanks, lakes, and open plains from high perches, always alert and quick to move. It is interesting to note that birds make up 85% of their diet. From songbirds, shorebirds and starlings to pigeons and doves - the falcon preys on whatever is easily available. Once it secures its prey, the falcon uses its talons and a specialised “tomial tooth” in its beak to quickly rip the spine, ensuring a swift kill.

It can also feed on small mammals, bats, reptiles, and insects to survive bad hunting days.

Besides being ace hunters these falcons also have a dramatic and highly coordinated courtship display. The male initiates the process by performing spectacular aerial acrobatics, that include steep dives, tight spirals, and exaggerated wingbeats, to demonstrate both strength and precision. These flight displays are more than mere visual spectacles; they signal fitness, agility, and hunting capability to the female.

Another beautiful feature of the courtship is the “aerial food pass.” The male captures prey mid-air and transfers it to the female while both are in flight, often flipping upside down to present the food with his talons. This act reinforces bonding for the pair and proves his ability to provide during nesting. Once bonded, the pair selects a nesting site, typically on a high perch, rocky outcrop, or a tower or tall urban building that mimics natural cliffs.

The Peregrine female will create a shallow depression called a “scrape” in gravel or loose substrate instead of building an elaborate nest. She will lay about 4 reddish-brown speckled eggs, which both parents will then incubate for about a month. After hatching, both parents will fiercely defend the nest, showcasing their renowned aggression and aerial mastery to ensure the survival of their young.

To conclude our wonderful bird walk at Kabini we took to the trails near the village. And discovered scores of tiny forest birds. There were also some resident water birds around the agricultural patches. But my heart was still hung on the scene from the morning. How I wish I could glimpse the falcon one more time! Maybe on my next visit to Kabini, I will.

Continue your booking