How do peregrine falcons raise their young? They start by making a nest in a high place. Long ago, most peregrines had nests on cliffs. Some peregrines still have their nests in these places. But others have been able to get used to nesting close to people. They make their nests on skyscrapers, bridges, and towers.

Peregrine falcons don’t build their nests like other birds. Instead, they make a nest that is called a scrape by pushing down on gravel with a foot. In North America, most peregrine falcons make their scrapes in February or March.

The female peregrine falcon lays eggs over three days. Usually, there are 3-5 eggs. The female keeps the eggs warm, while the

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Raising Babies

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Top: A peregrine falcon broods her chicks. Bottom: A peregrine falcon chick sits in a scrape.

male catches food for her. After about 30 days, the eggs hatch! When the babies are born, they are

covered with fluffy down. Their eyes are closed. They are helpless.

The female takes care of the young chicks at first. The male catches prey and brings food for the whole family. As the babies get bigger, the female starts to leave the nest for short hunting trips.

After 4-6 weeks, the nestlings are no longer helpless chicks. They move out of the nest and

start to sit on nearby ledges. Soon they fledge, or start to fly. But they stay close to their parents. And their parents keep giving the fledglings food! The young birds improve their flight skills by chasing each other. They even start to capture small birds and insects.

Finally, the young peregrine falcons leave the nest for good. They will face many dangers in their early months. Owls eat some young falcons. Others run into obstacles and are badly injured. But many young peregrine falcons survive. In just a few short months, they have changed from helpless chicks into amazingly fast birds.

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Young birds that take care of themselves are called juveniles. They often look slightly different from adults.

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