Young peregrines are brown to dark brown in colour and have vertical streaks of brown on their cream-coloured breast. They molt into adult plumage when they are about 18 months old and then molt annually. Their face markings are unique to each individual and can be used to identify each bird. The falcons hunt in the early morning and late in the day, even in dim light their eyesight is very acute. When selecting their prey, they would single out individuals that are younger, injured or unusual in appearance.
Peregrines face many hazards.
Four out of five young birds die before they are 1 year old because they are inexperienced flyers and hunters. During migration they may collide with buildings, vehicles or electric power lines and some continue to be illegally hunted. Mark Heaton and Vicki Samaras in the public banding of one of the peregrine falcons from the Richmond Hill nesting site.