As we move through February, we approach the start of courtship activities and the breeding season.  More often, the female will perch at the opening to the nest box or on the lateral wooden perch pole.  The female is more heavily spotted on the upper breast and becomes more heavily barred on the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and under the tail feathers.

During the start of the breeding season, the first indication of courtship activity is the perching/roosting of male and female at same perch locations. Eventually the pair perches/roosts side by side on the same ledge. During incubation, the male roosts in a prominent location away from scrape, often on or near the top of cliff. After brooding ceases, the female does not roost on nest ledge.