Species: Falco peregrinus, Peregrine Falcon • Hatch Year: 2014 • Sex: Female • Disability: Blind in Right Eye
In the spring of 2014, Leia was found and taken to Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky located in Louisville. Upon examination, she was found to have problems with her vision: her right eye had several debilitating medical conditions, which would not allow her to see well enough to hunt for food. She was therefore deemed non releasable. In November of 2014, the AEF provided Leia a permanent educational home. Leia was initially able to fly short distances in the barn, but unfortunately her cataracts progressed rapidly and she lost all vision in the right eye.
ABOUT PEREGRINE FALCONS
Everything about these birds is built for speed: long pointed wings, a long tail and even spiraled nostrils so they can breathe at high speeds. Their build also helps them to match every twist and turn of their fleeing prey and to catch them in mid air.
Peregrine Falcons are extremely fast. They have been recorded at speeds over 255 mph. Birds, ducks and bats are some of the animals that make up the Peregrine’s diet.