page_title: Falconidae
section_title: Breeding
hierarchical_section_title: Falconidae / Behaviour / Breeding
caption_attribution_description: Red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus), adult female. Photographed at Värmdö, Uppland
context_page_description: The falcons and caracaras are around 60 species of diurnal birds of prey that make up the order Falconiformes. The family is divided into two subfamilies, Polyborinae, which includes the caracaras and forest falcons, and Falconinae, the falcons, kestrels and falconets.
context_section_description: The falcons and caracaras are generally solitary breeders, although around 10% of species are colonial, for example the red-footed falcon. They are monogamous, although some caracaras may also employ alloparenting strategies, where younger birds help adults (usually their parents) in raising the next brood of chicks. Nests are generally not built (except by the caracaras), but are co opted from other birds, for example pygmy falcons nest in the nests of weavers, or on the ledges on cliffs. Around 2–4 eggs are laid, and mostly incubated by the female. Incubation times vary from species to species and are correlated with body size, lasting 28 days in smaller species and up to 35 days in larger species. Chicks fledge after 28–49 days, again varying with size.
caption: The red-footed falcon is unusual in being a colonial breeding falcon
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