Breeding Cycle

Peregine eggs

After mating, 1–5 (commonly 2–3) speckled brown eggs are laid. The female does most of the incubation, although the male may assist from time to time. He is the main food provider and is often absent for long periods seeking prey or patrolling the territory to 'warn-off' other Peregrines or potential predators (other raptors, crows, etc). The eggs hatch after 33 days.

The nestlings start life in downy white, but soon start feathering. This is a busy time for the parents because the nestlings are almost constantly hungry. At first the male does most of the hunting, but as the young grow both adults hunt. It takes about six weeks for the young to make their first flights and as they become more competent on the wing, they move away from the nest.

Juvenile Peregrines are dependent on the parents for anywhere between 7–26 weeks. If they are still near the nest when the next breeding season starts, they will be chased away.

If the juveniles survive the dangerous first year of their life, they will moult into adult plumage and start searching for a mate and territory of their own.

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