What a catch!

The other day while at the Goleta slough a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) flew from its perch above the slough over to the beach and very quickly came back with its prey. I didn't get to see the catch, so I didn't even know what kind of bird it was until I looked at the photos on my computer. The second photo below shows that the peregrine caught a rock pigeon (also known as flying rats or Columba livia). Of all the times I have seen peregrines, this is the first time I have seen one with prey. Peregrine's diets mainly consist of birds and they often times catch them in mid air. It was exciting to get to finally see one with a successful catch!