Peregrines generally mate for life, but will readily accept a new partner if their mate dies. Migratory pairs may separate for the winter, while resident Peregrines generally maintain pair-bonds throughout the year. In either case, most Peregrines go through courtship rituals every spring.
Males court the females with aerobatic flights and repeated calls.
Courtship feeding is often observed, where the male will catch prey and present it to the female. This strengthens the pair bond, and also gives the female the extra nutritional boost she needs to lay healthy eggs, since she is too heavy to hunt efficiently on her own just prior to laying the eggs. Although pairs commonly stay together for many years, the relationship between couples often appears to be not too friendly. Females are normally dominant over males, and can be quite aggressive toward their partners. Often they will take food from the male, or chase him away from the nest.