Peregrine Falcons Hunt Pigeon in High Speed Chase | 4K Narrated Film

Without doubt, this Peregrine hunt was the best I've ever witnessed.

Their behavior prior to this was relaxed, preening and gazing over the river. I watched as the male took to the skies and begin gaining height. As he ascended higher into the sky, I knew he was hunting. During the ascent, he didn’t flap his wings once, instead circling, using the thermals to conserve energy.

He then began flapping fast from left to right in one direction and was clearly after something. The white feral pigeon came into my viewfinder and the chase started. It lasted 59 seconds, far longer than any attack I have witnessed before.

The female then joined the chase, but against all the odds the pigeon managed to swerve and avoid the relentless stoops from the Peregrine pair, as they returned to the cliffs empty handed.

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[jglover]

ignore the haters Henry, I'm a 62 year old brit who's been a passionate birder and nature lover all my life. There are plenty of us out there that were absolutely riveted by that footage, and we understand why you do it, and how difficult it is. Great stuff...keep going and good luck !

[Dirtbiker-guy]

I once observed a peregrine falcon slam a pigeon less than 100 feet above me. The pigeon hit the ground less than 20 feet from me and the falcon came down, finished it off and flew away with it. It was an absolutely incredible event to see.

[AlessandroPasotti]

Never underestimate the perfection of the pigeon. Agility and resistance make it a very difficult prey.
A healthy wild pigeon is a tough prey and the film proves it

[geoffcollier]

We have peregrines in a local quarry. One evening a pigeon flew past me so close I could feel the wind of passing. Almost immediately, and travelling much faster followed a peregrine. I felt the wind of its passing much more closely but the pigeon was making for a tree and just got there in time!
What a treat!

[KughaxuhSumi]

During my childhood, my dad would captivate my brother and me with stories about falcons and their incredible speed. Though those carefree days are gone, the nostalgia remains. Those moments were truly cherished, and I still miss them dearly. But most of all, I miss my dad, who left this world on October 27, 2023. Ipu Akiviue, my loving father, rest in eternal peace❤️😢

[philipgowdy]

Superb job of filming this ordeal for the Pigeon, shows how smart the peregrines are but also just what incredible flyers Pigeons are..

[kevin]

Never in my life did I think I would find myself rooting for a pigeon.

[idreessahadat]

Thats amazing, that thing reaches its top speed from about 6000 feet in the air. Without rockets and fancy gadgets.Simply amazing.

[mikevanderman]

That was altogether savage, the cordination of the Peregrine and the skills of the prey, awesome stuff, the narration makes it all the more interesting. Thank you sir.

[bitsbobs]

The rock dove, aka pigeon, has evolved to stay just out of reach of the peregrine who had to evolve a strategy to catch them ie the stoop from above. Pigeons are more manoeuvrable than falcons hence the fantastic ‘dog fights’ we sometimes witness. Remember, no city pigeons means no city peregrines. Long may both grace our skies and thanks you Henry for putting this film together, keep it up. 👏

[Hemiauchenia]

I used to live near the top of Sussex Heights in Brighton which has resident nesting peregrines. They used to bring back a lot of starlings and once a female mallard! I witnessed a dramatic chase with a black headed gull over Brighton pier which escaped. Funny enough, I never saw them bring back a pigeon! Fascinating and enthralling video. Thank you.

[muhdhelmi]

Peregrine falcons are like *feathered bullets.*

[russellreynolds]

Very interesting to see the Falcons don't always win the game. Glad you showed the pigeon winning for once.

[Dodgerog]

Superbly done Henry 👏 I watched this on my iPhone and then cast it to my tv to see the build up of the battle in detail. It makes you aware that the hunting of a pigeon (unless taken by surprise) is a battle and not just a single attack. They have to work hard for their calories and calculate the whole fall from their initial stoop right down to the trees. Amazing to see how skilled the pigeon is, fighting for its life. Natural selection in action here. Well done, good sound track too. Thank you!

[Tuberesu]

What a sequence! Half of me sees the pigeon as a pest and the other half admires the raptor! Marvellous filming and editing which must have taken ages. ... and I was still relieved when the pigeon escaped!

[redfaux]

I had no idea it was a competition. A pigeon can evade a peregrine falcon? 😳 Mind blown!

[davidbalderston]

Since 1983 Peregrine Falcons have established themselves in Manhattan, New York. They are sometimes seen nesting on the window ledges of buildings.

[lewismooney]

I live in Boise Idaho. Home to the world center for birds of prey. The falcons still use the hack boxes established in the eighties on the high rise buildings in downtown. We don’t have very many pigeons in downtown. I don’t think pigeons win very often. Everyone should watch the zefrank video on pigeons. They’re exceptional birds!

[charlesreed]

My aunt owned racing pigeons. And we renamed one lucky because he survived 4 falcon attacks. It had plenty of scars from it but nothing major that effected him too much. They are very agile birds

[Nature_korea]

wonderful! The painstakingly filmed documentary is truly impressive.
I also love peregrine falcons.