Peregrine falcon entertains itself with pigeons

Peregrine falcon at Richmond Beach
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

While Wayne Pridemore was hanging out with bird chasers at Richmond Beach, he was entertained by a peregrine falcon who was practicing its skills on a flock of pigeons.

This Peregrine falcon made three different appearances. 

One of the birdwatchers would yell, PEREGRINE, the pigeons would take flight, and those of us taking photos would stumble around trying to locate the bird of prey without losing our balance. 

Peregrine falcon chasing pigeons
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

The falcon would chase the flock of pigeons, circling them from the outside, into a ball of pigeon panic. After three or four circuits the falcon would leave without making a strike. From the look of his full craw, I don't think he was hungry, but just bored.

Peregrine falcon
Photo by Wayne Pridemore