Are Peregrine Falcons found in northern California? If so what parts?

Question

I live in Orland Ca, I believe that the birds that I am seeing are Peregrine Falcons but I can not be sure.

Answer 1

It could be, but you have to make sure it is a falcon and not one of the hawks (there are quite a few hawks in Ca.), if it is a falcon; there are four species which can be encountered regularly in California, the peregrine the largest of the bunch tends to be found closer to the coast its wingspan can be up to 43 inches and can be recognized by the characteristic facial markings http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Peregrine_Falcon.html . The second largest is the prairie falcon which prefers being a bit further from the coast ( note birds go where they want so you can find peregrines away from the coast and prairie's closer to the coast too), their max wing span is 44 inches has dark feathers in the "armpit region which the peregrine lacks http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Prairie_Falcon_dtl.html . Next down the list is the merlin this bird is quite smaller than the first two, the max wingspan will be arround 27 inches, it has lots of brown on its chest http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Merlin_dtl.html this species is usually confused with the American kestrel, which is even smaller with a max wingspan of 24 inches, the facial marking is a key feature to tell them appart the kestrel has very defined markings on its face (the black line over eye and behind) which the merlin doesn't have, as well the merlin doesn't have any reddish brown on the back http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Kestrel_dtl.html .

Note though the peregrines are on every continent other than antarctica as previously mentionned by Strigidae, they do not inhabit the entire continents tough they appear here and there especially during migration.

Answer 2

Peregrine Falcon California

Answer 3

Peregrines are found all over the world except Antarctica. Found in all habitats from country and desert to inter-city.

There's a large difference between the size of a Peregrine with an approx. 40" wingspan and an American Kestrel (Sparrow Hawk) with an approx. 21–24" wingspan.
Color differences too.
If you're really interested, get a bird book and a pair of binoculars. Birdwatching is a great sport!
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Answer 4

It could be a sparrow hawk.

I think Peregrins is nation wide. They are brought to Los Angeles to kill pigeons, and I believe they would do the same in San Francisco.