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Peregrine Falcons Return to Pennsylvania’s Wild and Urban Cliffs

April 20, 2008
Peregrine Falcons Return to Pennsylvania’s Wild and Urban Cliffs

Peregrine Falcon at Urban Eyrie by Joe Kosack

The Peregrine Falcon is one of the most widespread and charismatic birds of prey in the world.  This bird of prey is found on all continents except Antarctica.  Its populations crashed in the era of DDT and when there seemed to be an open season on raptors and bird eggs.  Peregrines now have made a dramatic return to the state’s cliffs, whether wild or urban.   The original Peregrine Falcon nesting population occupied natural cliff sites in the Appalachians, including Pennsylvania.  Many nested on cliffs along major rivers, especially in the eastern third of the state.  By 1960, they had disappeared as a nesting species in the Commonwealth. In 2007, there were 24 active Peregrine nesting sites in the state.  They varied from urban to wild areas.  Some are associated with power generating facilities, large buildings, and tall bridges.  

 

Each nest site is called an “eyrie.”  Peregrine eyries tend give great views of large open spaces where the falcons can hunt for small and medium-sized birds, their chief prey.  Most sites have an abundance of pigeons, a favorite quarry.  Peregrines are renowned for their spectacular dives, sometimes exceeding 200 miles per hour.  The urban “canyons” imitate some of the features of the wild cliffs where Peregrines nested historically including a high and secluded ledge, the “open gulf of air” in front of the nest, a good view of the landscape, and inaccessibility to nest predators.  Peregrine Falcon at Rachel Carson Building, Harrsiburg by Joe Kosack

 

Peregrines also are reestablishing themselves on cliffs along the Susquehanna River where they once nested.  These sites are being closely monitored.  It is one of the objectives of the Peregrine Falcon program to band all nestlings so we can keep track of the entire population.   Peregrines are notorious wanderers, but the state’s nesting adult population differs by remaining near their eyrie throughout the year.  Many nesting pairs are given names by their watchers and are known for their distinct habits and personalities.  Join the Peregrine watchers and help us protect this spectacular bird.

 

For more information, see the Game Commission’s website on Falcons http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=486&q=150342

 

To visit the webcams of Peregrine Falcon nests in Pennsylvania, see:

 

The webcam on the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg:

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/falcon/default.htm

The webcam on the Gulf Tower in downtown Pittsburgh:

http://www.aviary.org/csrv/webcam_gulf.php

The webcam on the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning:  http://www.aviary.org/csrv/webcam_cath.php