Busacca Gallery

Superb Painting of a Pair of Peregrine Falcons, 20th Century Medium: Gouache on paper Dimensions: 9 x 13.5 inches Signature: Unsigned Frame: Metal framed Detail: Back Description: This exceptional painting portrays a lifelike and finely detailed pair of Peregrine Falcons, scientifically known as Falco peregrinus. Rendered in gouache on paper, the artwork captures the beauty and intricacies of these birds of prey. Peregrine Falcons are large, crow-sized falcons with blue-grey backs, barred white underparts, and black heads. They are renowned for their incredible speed, reaching speeds over 320 km/h (200 mph) during their hunting stoop, making them the fastest bird in the world and the fastest member of the animal kingdom. In fact, the highest recorded speed for a Peregrine Falcon, according to a National Geographic TV program, is 389 km/h (242 mph). These falcons exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females being noticeably larger than males. Provenance: This painting originates from a private American collection and was acquired in New Jersey in January 2000. It represents a valuable addition to any art collection or a testament to the beauty and majesty of Peregrine Falcons in the natural world.

The history of field antique illustrated watercolor animal studies of the Peregrine Falcon, scientifically known as Falco peregrinus, is an intriguing facet of natural history documentation. While there may not be a comprehensive record solely dedicated to this subject, the general history of field studies and the fascination with birds of prey can provide insights into the documentation of the Peregrine Falcon. Field studies and observations of the Peregrine Falcon have been conducted for centuries, driven by the allure of its remarkable hunting abilities and aerial prowess. Early explorers, naturalists, and ornithologists were captivated by the Falcon's incredible speed and hunting techniques, which led to their inclusion in various scientific and artistic endeavors. The art of watercolor illustration played a significant role in documenting the Peregrine Falcon in its natural habitat. Artists and illustrators, often accompanying scientific expeditions or working independently, meticulously captured the beauty and anatomical details of these birds through watercolor paintings. These illustrations were not only visually stunning but also aimed to provide accurate representations for scientific purposes, identification guides, and artistic appreciation. Throughout history, renowned artists and illustrators have created notable watercolor studies of the Peregrine Falcon. Their works showcased the Falcon's distinctive blue-grey plumage, barred underparts, and black head, capturing its characteristic features with precision and artistry. These antique watercolor illustrations of Peregrine Falcons continue to be highly regarded and sought after by collectors, serving as valuable historical artifacts and references for studying the species. Advancements in technology, such as photography and digital imaging, have supplemented traditional watercolor illustrations in documenting the Peregrine Falcon. Photographs allow for more detailed and accurate representations, capturing the Falcon's behavior, flight patterns, and habitat preferences. However, the tradition of creating antique watercolor studies and illustrations of the Peregrine Falcon remains cherished, as they represent a unique historical perspective on the species and highlight the artistic and scientific achievements of earlier naturalists. Today, field studies of the Peregrine Falcon continue, incorporating a combination of photography, field observations, satellite tracking, and scientific research methods. These studies contribute to our understanding of the Falcon's behavior, migration patterns, population dynamics, and conservation needs. Additionally, antique watercolor illustrations of Peregrine Falcons serve as a testament to the enduring fascination with these magnificent birds and provide valuable insights into their natural history. In summary, the history of field antique illustrated watercolor animal studies of the Peregrine Falcon showcases the intersection of art, science, and natural history. These illustrations have played a crucial role in documenting the Falcon's appearance, behavior, and ecological significance. They serve as a testament to human curiosity and admiration for the Peregrine Falcon's awe-inspiring abilities, while also preserving a valuable historical record of our understanding and appreciation of this remarkable bird of prey.

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_Falcons

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache". As is typical of bird-eating raptors, Peregrine Falcons are sexually dimorphic, females being considerably larger than males. The Peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching over 322 km/h (200 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop (high speed dive), making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom. According to a National Geographic program, the highest measured speed of a Peregrine Falcon is 389 km/h (242 mph).

The Peregrine's breeding range includes land regions from the Arctic tundra to the tropics. It can be found nearly everywhere on Earth, except extreme polar regions, very high mountains, and most tropical rainforests; the only major ice-free landmass from which it is entirely absent is New Zealand. This makes it the world's most widespread raptor and one of the most widely found bird species. In fact, the only land-based bird species found over a larger geographic area is not always naturally occurring but one widely introduced by humans, the Rock Pigeon, which in turn now supports many Peregrine populations as a prey species. Both the English and scientific names of this species mean "wandering falcon", referring to the migratory habits of many northern populations. Experts recognize 17 to 19 subspecies which vary in appearance and range; there is disagreement over whether the distinctive Barbary Falcon is represented by two subspecies of Falco peregrinus, or is a separate species, F. pelegrinoides.

While its diet consists almost exclusively of medium-sized birds, the Peregrine will occasionally hunt small mammals, small reptiles, or even insects. Reaching sexual maturity at one year, it mates for life and nests in a scrape, normally on cliff edges or, in recent times, on tall human-made structures. The Peregrine Falcon became an endangered species in many areas because of the widespread use of certain pesticides, especially DDT. Since the ban on DDT from the early 1970s, populations have recovered, supported by large-scale protection of nesting places and releases to the wild.