Aplomado falcon: incubation period, weaning age and breeding
Aplomado falcon eggs hatch after 31–32 days of incubation. Chicks fledge at 35–40 days and are weaned and independent at about 70 days. A typical clutch is 2–3 eggs.
Breeding numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Adult weight (g) | 208-460 |
| Male weight (g) | 208-305 |
| Female weight (g) | 271-460 |
| Length (cm) | 30-40 |
| Wing chord (mm) | m 230-260, f 260-290 |
| Clutch size | 2-3 |
| Incubation (days) | 31-32 |
| Fledging (days) | 35-40 |
| Weaning / independence (days) | ~70 |
| Lifespan (years) | 12-18 |
| Breeding season | Wild: Jan-June by region. Captive: spring; Peregrine Fund bred hundreds for restoration in Texas. |
| Sexing | Reverse size dimorphism: female ~1/3 heavier (falconers: falcon vs tiercel; Gulf: "tabaa" for the male peregrine, "qarmousha" or "wakri" for the male saker). Chicks and hybrids: DNA (feather/blood) is reliable; size alone overlaps between species and hybrids. |
| Moult | Gulf practice: moulting room ("mqeez") mid-April/May to Sept/Oct after the season; one complete moult per year, natural moult starts in the breeding season (females during incubation). |
| Quarry | Small birds (larks, sparrows, doves), insects; often flown in pairs in the wild. |
| Gulf heat tolerance | 4/5 - from hot open country. |
| Temperament | Agile, friendly, very social; tail-chaser. |
| Disease prevention | Prevention: bumblefoot (perch surfaces), frounce & herpesvirus (no wild pigeons), sour crop (don't overfeed), coccidiosis/worms (routine faecal checks), avian pox (mosquito control/vaccine). Small species chill and lose condition fast - weigh daily. Vet for treatment. |
| Identification features | Grey back, bold white supercilium meeting at nape, dark 'vest' band across belly, rufous thighs and vent, long tail with white bars; juvenile browner with streaked buff breast. |
Origin: Mexico, Central and South America — Scientific name: Falco femoralis
Size: 30-40 cm, 208-460 g
Breeding and care tips
Medium-small American falcon, agile, takes small birds. Rare in the Gulf; bred in few centres.
Description
Slim medium falcon with a dark breast band, orange belly and a pale eyebrow.
Need the exact date? Use the egg hatch calculator and the weaning age chart.
Related species
- Gyrfalcon
- Saker falcon
- Peregrine falcon
- Barbary falcon
- Lanner falcon
- Laggar lugger falcon
- Prairie falcon
- Merlin
Frequently asked questions
How long do Aplomado falcon eggs take to hatch?
Aplomado falcon eggs hatch after 31-32 days of incubation.
How many eggs does a Aplomado falcon lay?
Usually 2-3 eggs per clutch.
When do Aplomado falcon chicks leave the nest?
Chicks fledge at about 35-40 days old.
When are Aplomado falcon chicks weaned?
They are weaned and independent at about ~70 days.
What is the Aplomado falcon breeding season?
Wild: Jan-June by region. Captive: spring; Peregrine Fund bred hundreds for restoration in Texas.
How do you tell a male Aplomado falcon from a female?
Reverse size dimorphism: female ~1/3 heavier (falconers: falcon vs tiercel; Gulf: "tabaa" for the male peregrine, "qarmousha" or "wakri" for the male saker). Chicks and hybrids: DNA (feather/blood) is reliable; size alone overlaps between species and hybrids.
How long does a Aplomado falcon live?
About 12-18 years with good care.