2022 Peregrine Cameras
Peregrine Timeline in Edmonton
Battle Phase:
Late March to late April
Birds battle it out, sometimes to the death, for nesting sites (eyries) and mates.
Egg Laying Phase:
Mid-April to early May
Time to settle down and lay eggs. Peregrines usually lay between 3 and 4 eggs. They lay an egg every 2 days, so there can be a difference of 8 days between the oldest and youngest chick. It is not uncommon for the youngest chick in a large clutch to starve and be fed to its siblings. While this sounds terrible, it is a reasonable survival strategy since the adult peregrines don’t have to expend energy catching prey for at least one meal.
Incubation Phase:
May to mid-June
Peregrines incubate their eggs for just over a month before the chicks hatch. The male incubates the eggs for short periods too so that the female can eat.
Chick Phase:
June – July
It's the most vulnerable stage in their adult life—their wings are incredibly powerful, but until they learn to fully harness that power, one false move can mean fatal injury.
Fledgling Phase:
July – early October
After fledging, young peregrines have 6 weeks with their parents. They learn to fly and hunt before they are on their own and get ready to migrate (Edmonton’s peregrines likely spend winters in Brazil and Columbia). Watching them from the cameras is impossible once they fledge, but it’s worth going to their territories in person and watching the adults hunt and sometimes toss prey in midair to their youngsters. These 6 weeks are a vulnerable time for the peregrines as they navigate narrow corridors between Edmonton’s skyscrapers, avoid windows and other obstacles, and sometimes find themselves on the ground unable to get enough lift to fly again. If they’re fortunate, someone will find them in time and notify Fish & Wildlife, who can then get in touch with the right people to get them back onto their nesting ledge for another try.
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Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus)
The peregrine falcon is classified as At Risk in Alberta with only 50 to 60 breeding pairs across the province. Populations have recovered somewhat thanks to declining pesticide residue in their food.
Peregrines are the fastest birds, diving at over 300 km/h.
Appearance
- Wingspan is 74-120 cm.
- Approximately 45 cm long.
- Slim bodies, relatively large heads and long, thin, pointed wings that almost reach the tip of their tails while at rest.
- Small, sharp projection behind hooked tip of upper bill.
- Heavy black moustache patch and dark crown, neck and face. Back, wings and tail are grey-blue. Throat and upper breast are white.
Habitat
- Migrate from South America north to as far as Alaska and Baffin Island.
- Prefer areas of riparian or marsh habitats but will certainly nest on buildings and other man-made structures in urban areas.
Food
- Has a wide diet including gulls, small songbirds, small rodents, insects and pigeons.
Timeline
- Arrive in Alberta mid-April.
- Nest and raise chicks from mid-April to late-July.
- Migrate south in September and October.
Courtship
- Mainly monogamous.
- Meet and court (mutual roosting, cooperative hunting excursions, courtship flights and feeding).
Breeding
- Birds return to the same area (often the same nest).
- Nests are often a shallow scrape in dirt or sand.
- They lay three to six eggs each year.
- Both parents egg-sit; mostly it’s the female while the male hunts to feed her.
Lifespan
- Incubation is 30-36 days.
- Attempt flight at about 40 days but remain dependent on adults for food for another month.
- Mature at two to three years of age.
- Live to be 12 to 15 years old.