Peregrine falcons nest in high places like cliffs and tall human-made structures. The female lays 3-5 eggs and incubates them while the male hunts for food. In about 30 days, the eggs hatch and the chicks are helpless at first. Both parents care for the young by hunting and feeding them. After 4-6 weeks, the nestlings fledge but stay with their parents as juveniles to continue learning hunting skills until they can survive on their own.

1. Introduction to Text Structure 14
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
male catches food for her. After
about 30 days, the eggs hatch!
When the babies are born, they are
Raising Babies
USFWSPhotos
Top: A peregrine falcon
broods her chicks.
Bottom: A peregrine
falcon chick sits in a
scrape.

2. Introduction to Text Structure 14
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.
Young birds that take
care of themselves are
called juveniles.
They often look
slightly different
from adults.
USFWSPhoto