Male Peregrine lets the female take the gull to the nest for feeding time

This was our fourth or fifth year observing the Peregrine Falcon nest site just above the Visitors Center at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area just north of Newport, Oregon. We had been watching the parents hanging in the air over a cliff opposite the nest, looking like two kites on strings. After 30 seconds or so and some discussion between them they took off towards the south and the coastline. About five minutes later they returned, the male with a Bonaparte’s Gull. As they called back and forth the male went up in the air, waiting for the female to come under him. As soon as she got into position he transferred the Gull from his talons to his beak and waited for her to come up and grab it. She took what appeared to be two tries- on the second she secured the Gull and then quickly went ‘turbo mode’ and flew off to the nest where she began to pluck the feathers and rip off chunks of meat for their three chicks to eat. An updraft had those feathers flying straight up as if a pillow fight was going on. The male disappeared after the transfer and ‘mom’ took over all the duties of meal preparation. Amazing to witness.

Peregrine ‘dad’ lets ‘mom’ the meal to bring to the nest

This was our fourth or fifth year observing the Peregrine Falcon nest site just above the Visitors Center at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area just north of Newport, Oregon. We had been watching the parents hanging in the air over a cliff opposite the nest, looking like two kites on strings. After 30 seconds or so and some discussion between them they took off towards the south and the coastline. About five minutes later they returned, the male with a Bonaparte’s Gull. As they called back and forth the male went up in the air, waiting for the female to come under him. As soon as she got into position he transferred the Gull from his talons to his beak and waited for her to come up and grab it. She took what appeared to be two tries- on the second she secured the Gull and then quickly went ‘turbo mode’ and flew off to the nest where she began to pluck the feathers and rip off chunks of meat for their three chicks to eat. An updraft had those feathers flying straight up as if a pillow fight was going on. The male disappeared after the transfer and ‘mom’ took over all the duties of meal preparation. Amazing to witness.

Peregrine falcon mom in action.

The nest rests on a cliff ledge conveniently (for us) located near the visitor center of the Yaquina Head Natural Area. Our small group, and several others keep watch during nesting and fledging over the last few years. The chicks recently fledged and are now zooming around the nest site. The parents are continuing to bring food as the chicks develop their flying skills. Its a great show with many photo opportunities.

Peregrine Falcon nest with adult and young

Morning hours were busy for the adult Peregrines Falcons as they often fed the young 3 times before the heat of the day. At this stage, the young were large enough to be safe in the nest so that the female could also help the male hunt. She had just fed them a bird, rapidly, and she is now heading out for more prey to feed the rapidly growing young falcons.

Peregrine Falcon nest with young

I watched and photographed this nest for 2 months, observing with amazement the adults working hard as the young grew rapidly. At this stage of their growth they needed to be fed, which the female did with prey delivered by the male.

young Peregrine Falcons lined up for feeding time

I was fortunate to find this Peregrine Falcon nest site in Nevada County, CA this spring. I monitored and photographed them from about 200 yds for two months until they fledged 3 young successfully. It was an amazing experience watching the adults work so hard to hunt, feed and shelter them from the elements. The young grew at a rapid pace and what a day it was watching their first flights….but very awkward landings. On this day of the photo the female had just landed with a fresh kill delivered by the male. She was just about to start removing feathers from the prey and bite off bits of meat for the young while they stood in row appearing to saw grace 🙂 .