In urban areas, where these birds are often rescued, the mortality rate for the first year is substantially lower. The second period of danger is during migration, when the young Peregrines must not only learn to navigate their way to safe wintering grounds, but also survive the hazards along the way, including poisoning and hunting. Although mortality declines considerably in the second year, it remains higher than in subsequent years, and as a result only one or two out of every ten Peregrines survives to reach maturity. Fortunately, once Peregrines reach adulthood, the mortality rate drops off to very low levels, and they often live and breed for many years. The high juvenile mortality of Peregrines is one of the reasons why their populations are slow to recover, and it is therefore very important that as much as possible be done to help Peregrines survive their first year.
Peregrines generally hunt by diving on their prey from great heights.
It was long thought that Peregrines hit their prey in midair with their feet clenched like a fist in order to knock out their victim. However, it has been discovered that they keep all of their toes fully extended, and strike either with their talons or with the back of their forelegs. The impact is usually forceful enough to kill the prey instantly, and the Peregrine either stoops down to catch it as it tumbles, or picks it up off the ground where it lands. In cases where the initial blow was not enough to kill the prey, Peregrines usually bite the neck of the victim to finish it off. While this is the typical mode of hunting, Peregrines use other approaches as well, depending on the situation.