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Peregrine Falcon Facts

Scientific name: Falco peregrinus

Few birds are as swift: Peregrines dive after prey at approximately 200 mph

DECLINE OF THE PEREGRINE FALCON
· Peregrine Falcons were formerly one of the most widespread birds in the world. Prior to 1960s the birds nested at more than 350 sites east of the Mississippi River, including several in Pennsylvania.
· Long-lived pesticides such as DDT accumulated in falcon food chains causing the "pesticide raptor syndrome." Females were unable to produce a sufficient egg shell, resulting in the eggs cracking during incubation.
· Populations crashed throughout much of the world by 1960s, with no successful nestings east of the Mississippi River by 1965.
· The Peregrine Falcon was one of the first species listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1974. It is no longer on the federal list of Endangered Species.

RECOVERY OF THE PEREGRINE FALCON
· The Pennsylvania Game Commission is the official regulatory and management agency for this species. This bird is listed as a Pennsylvania Endangered species under the state wildlife code.
· A recovery program was developed by Dr. Thomas Cade at Cornell University in 1970. Young birds were hatched from eggs in captivity and released into the wild. This program grew into The Peregrine Fund and the creation of the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho.

PITTSBURGH PEREGRINE FALCON NEST SITES
· The Peregrine Falcon nesting pairs at the Gulf Tower in downtown Pittsburgh and at the University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning are the only ones known to nest in the western half of Pennsylvania.
· The Cathedral of Learning and the Gulf Tower are good nesting sites because of the positive attitude of the building management, and because they offer:
· one of the tallest locations in the area (best sites are 20+ stories);
· a high, secluded ledge with no expansive areas of reflective glass;
· access to the roof that can be controlled and is not necessary on a constant basis;
· a relatively safe first-flight environment for young;
· restricted access to the floor of the nesting site.

NEST BOX CONSTRUCTION
· A custom-made nest box was constructed of red cedar where wood is in contact with the birds, and of weather-resistant treated lumber elsewhere (cedar is also weather resistant).
· Size of nest box: 37" long by 30" wide and 5 3/4" deep. A three-sided shelter (16" deep by 16" high) with roof is located at one end.
· Bottom of box is filled with approximately 300 lbs. of "shot" size round gravel upon which the eggs are laid. Peregrines instinctively look for this or similar "substrate" in which to sculpt a depression so eggs can't roll.

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH CATHEDRAL OF LEARNING NEST SITE
· The Cathedral of Learning Peregrine Falcon project is a cooperative effort between the University of Pittsburgh, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (volunteers and staff) and Pennsylvania Game Commission.
· The Peregrine Falcon adult pair, young, and nest site must be protected from human intrusion during nesting; protection is provided by the University of Pittsburgh.
· Cathedral of Learning Peregrines arrived in Oakland in the mid-1990's, but nesting was not documented until 2002.
· The pair of falcons currently at the Cathedral of Learning wear coded leg bands indicating that they are part of Peregrine recovery program. In spring of 2002 the pair was identified from their bands: the male was born on the Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio in 1998 and named "Erie" by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. The female was born at Firstar Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1999 and named "Dorothy" by Wisconsin Falcon Watch. Both birds flew here on their own. The pair claims the immediate area as their territory and regularly chase away hawks and vultures.
· In February 2002 Western Pennsylvania Conservancy staff & volunteers constructed the Cathedral of Learning nest box with funding from Pennsylvania Game Commission.
· Only one pair will reside in the Oakland area and the present pair is expected to reside at this site for years to come. Pennsylvania Peregrine Falcons are not migratory and remain through the winter.

PEREGRINE FALCON YOUNG
· Four is the average number of eggs/young produced (range is 3 to 6). Eggs are laid in March.
· Incubation is accomplished largely by the female; male provides food during this period; about 30 to 32 days, largely in April.
· Young are fed pieces of birds caught by adults.
· Peregrine falcons feed almost exclusively on small-to-medium size birds caught in the air or occasionally on the ground. Will eat hundreds of species of birds, including city pigeons and waterfowl.
· Pigeon control programs that use poison can be dangerous to Peregrine Falcons. Two Peregrines died in Baltimore after eating poisoned pigeons.
· Young Peregrines are on their own a few weeks after fledging (leaving the nest) and are expected to disperse to areas outside of Pittsburgh by summer's end.

SPECIAL THANKS: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy would like to thank its volunteers, specifically Kate St. John, who has been instrumental in securing digital Web cameras for the University of Pittsburgh and Gulf Tower nesting sites; the National Aviary; the University of Pittsburgh; the Gulf Tower management and staff; The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia; Cool Beans Coffee Company; Robert Peirce & Associates, PC; and the Pennsylvania Game Commission for their participation in this project.

Questions can be directed to: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy,
209 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. (412) 288-2777.

In 2007, WPC began partnering with the on the peregrine project.