Nesting and Courtship

Unlike eagles, hawks and kites, falcons do not build nests. Instead they use the disused (or usurped) nests of other birds, tree hollows, the ground or ledges and cavities on cliffs. Most local Peregrines are cliff nesters, and for a select few, tall city buildings have become fancy cliffs!

Peregrines have favourite breeding sites that they use every year, but in cities, they may move nest sites as newer and better locations are constructed around them.

Peregrine Falcons usually breed between August and November, when conditions are suitable and food is readily available. In tropical and subtropical Queensland, breeding may occur even earlier: during 2002 in southern Queensland some pairs bred between April and July.

Courtship between Peregrines, involves aerobatics, posturing and calling. The male also brings food offerings to his mate. The pair 'communicate' threat, appeasement and acceptance, using various postures and variations to their decidedly unmusical 'kak-kak-kak' call.

Pairs mate for life, but if something happens to one member, a replacement is often found fairly quickly. The replacement comes from the unattached birds that are constantly moving, in search of a mate or territory of their own.

The Courier-Mail's Frodocam is available for viewing here [new window].