| Shaheen Falcon | |
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| Conservation status | |
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Vulnerable[1]
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Falconiformes |
| Family: | Falconidae |
| Genus: | Falco |
| Species: | F. peregrinus |
| Subspecies: | F. p. peregrinator |
| Trinomial name | |
| Falco peregrinus peregrinator Sundevall, 1837 |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Shaheen Falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinator), also known as the Indian Peregrine Falcon,[2] Black Shaheen, Indian Shaheen, or simply the Shaheen,[3] is a non-migratory subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon found mainly on the Indian subcontinent and the nearby island of Sri Lanka.[4]
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The taxon was formally described by Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1837.[5] It has sometimes been referred to as Falco atriceps or Falco shaheen.
The Shaheen is a small and powerful-looking falcon with blackish upperparts, rufous underparts with fine, dark streaks, and white on the throat. The complete black face mask is sharply demarcated from the white throat. It has distinctive rufous underwing-coverts. It differs in all these features from the paler F. p. calidus, which is a scarce winter migrant to Sri Lanka.[1] Males and females have similar markings and plumage; apart from size there is no sexual dimorphism.[2] The birds range in length from 380 to 440 mm.[1] The male is about the size of a House Crow (Corvus splendens); the female is larger.[2]
The Shaheen is found in South Asia from Pakistan and Kashmir region over across to the Republic of India and Bangladesh in the east and to Sri Lanka and south-eastern China. In the Republic of India, it has been recorded in all states (except Uttar Pradesh), mainly from rocky and hilly regions. The Shaheen has also been reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.[6]
The Shaheen is the local resident race of the Peregrine in Sri Lanka[1] where it is uncommon but found throughout the island in the lowlands, and up to 1200 m in the hill country,[2], frequenting mountain cliffs and rock outcrops. The sheer cliff faces provide it with nest sites and serve as vantage points from which it can launch aerial strikes against fast-flying birds such as swifts.[7] Sigiriya is a well known site for it.[1]
The Shaheen is usually seen as a solitary bird, or in pairs on cliffs and rock pinnacles. Peregrines typically mate for life.[2] Because of the size difference between a male and a female, a mated pair generally hunt different prey species. It is adapted to taking prey in the air and can achieve a speed of 240 kmh in level flight; when diving after prey it can exceed speeds of 320 kmh (200 mph).[8]
Shaheens mostly hunt small birds, though medium-sized birds such as pigeons and parrots are also taken.[2] Strong and fast, they dive from great heights to strike prey with their talons. If the impact does not kill the prey, the falcon bites the neck of its victim to ensure death.
The reproductive season is from December to April. The birds occupy nests on high cliff ledges or in cavities and tunnels.[2] They lay clutches of 3-4 eggs. The chicks fledge within 48 days with an average nesting success of 1.32 chicks per nest.[6] In India the Shaheen has been recorded as nesting on man-made structures such as buildings and mobile phone transmission towers.[6]
The conservation status of the Shaheen in Sri Lanka is vulnerable.[1] A population estimate of 40 breeding pairs there was made in 1996.[9]