Todd Murphy, age 8, of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, for his question:

HOW FAST CAN A PEREGRINE FALCON FLY?

Few birds can fly faster than the peregrine falcon. This powerful bird's speed when it swoops on its prey is estimated at 180 miles per hour.

A peregrine falcon is a hawk like bird that can easily overtake the swiftest ducks, pigeons, grouse and pheasants.

The falcon measures about 18 inches in length and has a wingspread of about 43 inches. It is blue gray above and white below with blackish brown bars.

This bird once lived throughout the world but it has become extremely rare in North America. But it can be found east of the Rocky Mountains.

The peregrine falcon prefers to nest on a shelf of a steep cliff. It lays two to six eggs on the bare rocks. The eggs are cream and brown in color.