Peregrine falcon: incubation period, weaning age and breeding
Peregrine falcon eggs hatch after 29–33 days of incubation. Chicks fledge at 35–46 days and are weaned and independent at about 75–100 days. A typical clutch is 3–4 eggs.
Breeding numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Adult weight (g) | 330-1500 |
| Male weight (g) | 330-1000 (calidus 588-740) |
| Female weight (g) | 700-1500 (calidus 925-1333) |
| Length (cm) | 34-58 |
| Wing chord (mm) | m 290-325, f 335-370 (pealei larger) |
| Clutch size | 3-4 (1-5) |
| Incubation (days) | 29-33 (captive often 32-34) |
| Fledging (days) | 35-46 |
| Weaning / independence (days) | 75-100 |
| Lifespan (years) | 15-20 |
| Breeding season | Wild: March-May by latitude. Captive: eggs mid-March-April; AI and natural pairs; double-clutching common. |
| 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. Male peregrine = "tabaa" (shaheen tabaa). |
| 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 | Houbara (stoop/hit), ducks, pigeons, curlew, sandgrouse; high-flying waiting-on falcon. |
| Gulf heat tolerance | 3/5 - calidus copes with Gulf winter; needs cool mews in summer; desert subspecies (barbary/shaheen) do better. |
| Temperament | Fast, keen, high-strung; mounts high and stoops; 'tiercel' quick and agile. |
| Disease prevention | Prevention: aspergillosis (heat stress, dust, poor ventilation, transport/stress - Gulf summer & start of season); bumblefoot (overweight, inactivity, hard/smooth perches - use padded/astroturf perches, keep talons trimmed); frounce/trichomoniasis and falcon herpesvirus (both from feeding pigeons/doves - avoid wild or unknown pigeons, freeze food); sour crop/ingluvitis (feeding before the crop empties, spoiled or warm meat); coccidiosis (young birds, damp mews); avian pox (mosquitoes - vaccine available); lead (shot quarry/pigeons). Vet for diagnosis & treatment. |
| Identification features | Slate/blue-grey back, black hood with broad clear black moustache, white cheeks, barred underparts (adult), long toes, wingtips reach tail tip at rest; juvenile brown with streaked (not barred) underparts and bluish cere/orbital ring; adult cere and feet yellow. |
Origin: Almost every continent — Scientific name: Falco peregrinus
Size: Male 440-750 g, female 750-1500 g (by subspecies)
Breeding and care tips
The migratory 'bahri' peregrine (mostly calidus) is prized in the Gulf for its stoop. Size varies greatly by subspecies (pealei largest, minor smallest). Bred naturally or by AI; it is one parent of the popular gyr × peregrine.
Description
Slate-grey back, black hood, broad clear moustache and a finely barred breast.
Need the exact date? Use the egg hatch calculator and the weaning age chart.
Related species
- Gyrfalcon
- Saker falcon
- Barbary falcon
- Lanner falcon
- Laggar lugger falcon
- Prairie falcon
- Aplomado falcon
- Merlin
Frequently asked questions
How long do Peregrine falcon eggs take to hatch?
Peregrine falcon eggs hatch after 29-33 (captive often 32-34) days of incubation.
How many eggs does a Peregrine falcon lay?
Usually 3-4 (1-5) eggs per clutch.
When do Peregrine falcon chicks leave the nest?
Chicks fledge at about 35-46 days old.
When are Peregrine falcon chicks weaned?
They are weaned and independent at about 75-100 days.
What is the Peregrine falcon breeding season?
Wild: March-May by latitude. Captive: eggs mid-March-April; AI and natural pairs; double-clutching common.
How do you tell a male Peregrine 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. Male peregrine = "tabaa" (shaheen tabaa).
How long does a Peregrine falcon live?
About 15-20 years with good care.