Charlie is a Peregrine Falcon that lives at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre. He was raised by a falconer and imprinted on humans, which is why he cannot be released. Charlie is 13 years old now – quite old for a bird his size – but still possesses the incredible speed and agility his species is known for.
As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).
de Wets Wild 
He is a grand age. Peregrines are so fast it making your flight photos even more impressive.
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Thanks Carol! In no small part due to our friend Hannes’s patience in teaching us the tricks of his trade.
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Ongelooflik om hom te kan sien!
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Ongelooflik was dit beslis, Aletta. Die spoed waarmee hy deur die lug klief laat mens oorbluf!
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Dis waar!
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Great information and pictures – thank you!
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Welcome here, Meg, and thanks for the kind comment!
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Delightful!
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Absolutely, Anne!
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Did you know that they could reach 200 mph in a high speed dive?
These guys are fantastic fliers. I read one time that some of them live in Manhattan, NY, they nest on ledges high in the highest buildings. 🙂
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Indeed, H.J, I was aware of the speed records that Peregrine’s claim. However, I’ve never seen it with my own two eyes, until this past Sunday, and I was absolutely stunned. The co-ordination it takes to move at such a rate of knots, compensating for cross-winds and a zigg-zagging prey, and still strike the target with such precision is mind-blowing!
We’ve actually had similar experiments with Peregrines to control exploding feral pigeon populations in some of our cities, and it gives me so much hope that we can learn to love with wildlife.
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Ooo,ooo,ooo. If you could see me smiling now. Love these guys. Some years ago we went to a medieval faire at the urging of our younger daughter, although we thought it would be really hokey. Turned out to be lots of fun and there was a falconer there who put on a wonderful show.
janet
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I suppose that’s around the time the tradition of falconry came about, Janet? Not as a sport, as it is today, but as a way of putting food on the table?
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