Peregrine Falcon Raising Wings on a Concrete Ledge

A peregrine falcon crouches at the corner of a pale concrete ledge with its wings lifted and its tail fanned, caught in the moment before it moves. The upper wing is slate grey with fine dark barring. The tail feathers are spread to show bold black and white bands. Its head is dark with a black hood and a pale cheek patch, and its beak and feet are yellow-orange. The overcast sky behind it is a smooth, even white-grey, so the bird's pattern and posture stand out against the plain background. The mood is quiet and tense.

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is found on nearly every continent and is often cited as the fastest animal in a hunting dive, or stoop. It feeds mainly on other birds, which it strikes in flight. Many peregrines have adapted to cities, where tall buildings and ledges stand in for the cliffs they usually nest on. This photograph was taken at Sai Kung, Hong Kong, in March 2021. The landscape format and wide empty space on the left suit desktop monitors and ultrawide screens, with room for icons.

More like this: Male Cardinal Taking Off With Wings Spread and Blue Jay Landing With Wings Fanned Wide.