Audubon's Dr. Paul Gray sends another fascinating report from Lake Okeechobee, where he captured photos of a Peregrine Falcon hunting beside his airboat:
Peregrine Falcons have learned to follow airboats and attack flushing birds, much like Cattle Egrets follow farm equipment.
On March 24, I was out with Don Fox, FWC, and Paul Souza, USFWS, when this Peregrine started following our boat. They literally post themselves directly behind the moving boat (travelling at ~35 mph) at about 100 feet above the water. When a likely target jumps up, they swoop.
The falcon in the photos made several stoops on flushing Coots and was last seen flying away with a Coot in its talons.
Another South Florida raptor that will follow equipment is the Crested Caracara, I’ve had them follow my tractor while roller-chopping.