What age must peregrines be to be taken from the wild?

Peregrine falcon chicks must be at least 10 days old before they can be legally taken from the wild. At this age, the chicks have developed enough to be more resilient and capable of surviving captivity, which is essential for their well-being in the falconry context. This 10-day mark allows for the chicks to develop some level of independence while ensuring that they are still young enough to be trained effectively for falconry purposes.

In contrast, taking chicks younger than 10 days can pose serious health risks and challenges, as they are still highly dependent on their parents for nutrition and do not have the necessary skills to thrive when removed from their natural environment. As chicks grow older, after 10 days, they become increasingly capable of handling the stresses of captivity, which is crucial for their training and adjustment into falconry.

Other age options such as 20 days or 28 days are not correct in this context, as they exceed the minimum threshold established for legal capture. The regulations are specifically designed to prioritize the health and survival of the birds while also aligning with conservation practices in managing wildlife populations.