Eventually peregrine courtship displays lead to the main goal — copulation.

The female solicits mating by perching in a convenient place, bowing low and whining loudly to attract the male’s attention.  He flies in and lands slowly and carefully on her back with his talons and toes curled inward so he doesn’t hurt her.

Using his wings he balances on her back.  She raises her tail and he lowers his so that their cloacas touch (called a “cloacal kiss”) to transfer sperm.  This fluttering pose may last 5-10 seconds.  They both make a lot of noise.

And then he flies away.

 

 

 

(photo by Chad+Chris Saladin Click on the first image to see the sequence.)