The peregrine falcon has been the mascot of Lower Dauphin for as long as many can remember and it has many remarkable features. According to the National Park Service, the falcon is the fastest animal in the animal kingdom, reaching speeds of 200 mph when diving.

Student Jacob Mende says, “The name of Lower Dauphin Falcons just fits and sounds right”. Which is true, the Lower Dauphin Falcons does have a nice ring to it. 

The word peregrine comes from a Latin word meaning “foreigner” or “traveler”. The scientific name for the peregrine falcon is Falco peregrinus which simply means “wandering falcon”. 

The mascot is a local animal which makes it very personal to the school. Falcons started nesting close to the Hummelstown area in Harrisburg starting in 1996. This carried on for many more years and some are still nesting on tall buildings in the city of Harrisburg today. 

Peregrine falcons eat a variety of different birds of all sizes, from large sandhill cranes to small hummingbirds they are always able to find a snack with their sharp yellow claws which they dig into their prey with. They are at the top of their food chain in adulthood but as an eyas (a baby peregrine falcon) they are preyed upon by eagles and great horned owls. 

Peregrine falcons are powerful, strong, and superior animals which makes them a great mascot to represent Lower Dauphin.