Both parents hunt and feed the young. Competition for food is great among siblings. Sometimes, only one or two young will fledge. The peregrine falcon feeds primarily on other birds. Shorebirds, blackbirds, robins, jays and flickers are commonly taken.
Prey ranges in size from swallows to large ducks.
In cities, starlings and pigeons are the mainstay of their diets. Peregrines fly above their prey. Diving peregrines may reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. A peregrine strikes larger prey with its strong feet, instantly killing or stunning them. Smaller birds may be plucked out of the air.