Zachary Dowbnia - Upper Freehold Regional Elementary & Middle School
Monmouth County Winner
2010 Species on the Edge Art and Essay Contest winner. Peregrine falcon. Zachary Dowbnia
Peregrine Falcon
Hi, it's me, Perry the Peregrine Falcon. I am seven years old and my mom and dad disappeared one day when I was smaller. Now I live by myself in northern New Jersey.
I live high on a building in Newark where no one can ever find me. I eat other medium size birds, mostly songbirds. I hunt them by flying my fastest speed, 217 mph, diving at them with my talons outstretched. If I don't catch them, I pursue them from behind at lightning speed. Finally, I kill my prey using my beak, breaking their spinal column.
I'm pleading with you to help protect my species. Not only are we the most beautiful and graceful birds you've ever seen, but we are one of the fastest birds ever to live. How would you like to be poisoned by pesticides? Someone is trying to wipe out my whole population. Luckily, there's hope. We are on the least concern section of the conservation list, but we're worried and still need you to help save us.
One way you can save me and my species is to stop poisoning us. Help stop the use of pesticides! Please help to make laws to protect the Peregrine Falcon any way you can. We also need more habitats and homes to live in. Peregrine Falcons are a very important species in the environment, so please help save us.
I hope now that you have heard about me, you will understand why you should save me and my species. Maybe you will appreciate how very special we are and realize how important it is to help protect us so we can thrive. Well, I have to go hunting now. Thank you for listening about me and my species, the Peregrine Falcon.
Zachary Dowbnia
Upper Freehold Regional Elementary & Middle School
Allentown, NJ
Teacher: Mrs. Greenfield