National Falcons Center publishes study on mountain peregrine falcon breeding

The National Falcons Center has published a field study in the international scientific journal Life regarding the environmental factors and nesting site characteristics affecting the breeding productivity of the mountain peregrine falcon in Saudi Arabia. This marks the center's first peer-reviewed research published in a Q1-ranked journal according to the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).

The study, conducted by researchers from the National Falcons Center, the University of Hail, and the National Center for Wildlife Development, monitored 59 breeding sites across the northwest and southwest of the Kingdom during the 2026 breeding season. Researchers analyzed variables including wind speed, rainfall, temperature, and cliff face orientation.

Findings indicated an average productivity of 1.97 chicks per site. Statistical analysis revealed that increased seasonal wind speeds and higher exposure of cliff faces to prevailing winds are linked to significant decreases in breeding productivity. The study recommends continued multi-season monitoring to improve the evaluation of release sites for falcon conservation programs.