A male peregrine falcon feathers his wings to slow down as he approaches his perched mate. Perched firmly on a cliff, the larger female waits. In peregrines, the female’s size and stability are key, providing a secure platform for copulation. the male turns his large, sharp talons sideways so that he does not injure his mate as he lands on her back. This interaction requires split-second coordination and perfect timing between the pair, well demonstrated in this image.
A male peregrine falcon feathers his wings to slow down as he approaches his perched mate. Perched firmly on a cliff, the larger female waits. In peregrines, the female’s size and stability are key, providing a secure platform for copulation. the male turns his large, sharp talons sideways so that he does not injure his mate as he lands on her back. This interaction requires split-second coordination and perfect timing between the pair, well demonstrated in this image.