To assist our Falcon Cam followers (dep.pa.gov/falcons), this video shows the significant difference between the size of an adult female peregrine falcon (48/AE) in comparison to her male counterpart (W/V). It is easy to notice the difference in size. On average, a female peregrine is 30 percent larger than a male peregrine. This holds true of raptors, including eagles and osprey. In comparison, for most waterfowl or songbirds, the male can be identified by its bright colors as opposed to the female’s drab plumage. The ability to determine sex by color or size is known as sexual dimorphism. Sexual dimorphism is the condition where the two sexes of the same species exhibit different characteristics beyond the differences in their sexual organs. So, at first glance a male and female falcon may look identical in coloration, but in the case of raptors, size is the indicator.
Size comparison: The male and female peregrine falcons in Harrisburg
To assist our Falcon Cam followers (dep.pa.gov/falcons), this video shows the significant difference between the size of an adult female peregrine falcon (48/AE) in comparison to her male counterpart (W/V). It is easy to notice the difference in size. On average, a female peregrine is 30 percent larger than a male peregrine. This holds true of raptors, including eagles and osprey. In comparison, for most waterfowl or songbirds, the male can be identified by its bright colors as opposed to the female’s drab plumage. The ability to determine sex by color or size is known as sexual dimorphism. Sexual dimorphism is the condition where the two sexes of the same species exhibit different characteristics beyond the differences in their sexual organs. So, at first glance a male and female falcon may look identical in coloration, but in the case of raptors, size is the indicator.
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