These spectacular dives have been clocked at speeds of around 180 mph. If the prey is too large to swallow whole, the falcon uses its beak to tear it to pieces. Migrating patterns of peregrine falcons vary considerably. Falcons which nest in northern Canada and Greenland migrate to Central and South America for the winter. Peregrines which build nests south of Canada generally migrate southwards over lesser distances to their winter habitat.
Some birds never migrate.
Their summer breeding and nesting ground and winter location remain the same. Peregrine falcons characteristically build nests, lay eggs and rear their young on ledges of high, steep cliffs. The falcons lay 3-5 eggs which hatch in about a month. Both parents incubate the eggs. The young fledge in about 3 weeks and leave the nest in 35-40 days.