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National Aviary Peregrine FalconCam

Each spring and summer, the National Aviary hosts a live stream of the Peregrine Falcons residing high up on the southeast side of the Cathedral of Learning on the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh: the National Aviary Peregrine FalconCam.

_{It’s important to remember that the National Aviary Peregrine FalconCam gives us a view into the wild world of birds, and while it’s not our role to intervene, we can learn a lot from studying these behaviors.} 

2026 Peregrine FalconCam Nesting Updates

February 1, 2026: The National Aviary Peregrine FalconCam is back for another swoop-tacular season!

ICYMI: 2025 was another thrilling year for Peregrine mates Carla and Ecco, who have occupied the nest box at the Pittsburgh University’s Cathedral of Learning as a bonded pair for the third FalconCam season in a row.  

Last year, falcon Mom and Dad successfully hatched several chicks, with the first two making their arrivals on April 24 – just in time for National Take Your Kid to Work Day, followed by the third on April 27.

The three hatchlings carefully grew under the watchful eyes of Mom, Dad, and dedicated livestream viewers could often see them napping on camera, (just like with infants, rest is vital for their development!). As part of an ongoing statewide effort to monitor the Peregrine Falcon population, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) biologist Patricia Barber who, with assistance from the Aviary’s friend and supporter Kate St. John, completed health exams before banding the chicks in late May. The health exams included noting their weight and measurements of leg thickness, which led Barber to suspect at the time of the banding that the two larger juveniles are female, and the smallest male.

The bird banding process involves placing a small, lightweight band marked with an identifying number on a bird’s leg. Using the numbers on the bands, scientists can study the behaviors of Peregrine Falcons while also determining the status of their populations. Dedicated Peregrine FalconCam fans will recall that the species was formerly Endangered in Pennsylvania until recently, due to the use of agricultural pesticide DDT. Being able to access the data collected from bird banding is critical for the species’ continued survival.

Representatives of the PGC and the National Aviary alike remain enthusiastic about what last year’s additional banding meant, not only for the future of the Peregrine Falcon but avian conservation in its entirety: “The Peregrine Falcon was removed from our state’s threatened and endangered species list in 2021 after more than 40 years,” said PGC Endangered Bird Biologist Patricia Barber, “and yet we continue banding at the Cathedral of Learning nest for the immense educational value it provides. This is a species’ Oakland residents can see soar overhead; a species that has also grown a large digital following thanks to the National Aviary’s FalconCam. The more information we can track and share, the more invested in the well-being of all birds these audiences become.”

“Last year’s banding was another crucial step towards conserving the future of the Peregrine Falcon in the wild,” says National Aviary Ornithologist Robert Mulvihill. “We [at the National Aviary] were greatly moved by the opportunity to orchestrate the banding of THREE additional Peregrine Falcon chicks. Banding is so vital to the continued plight of the species and the data we received from this banding allows us to continue to track the bird’s movements, survival rate, mating history, and other aspects of biology that make our job that much easier. After two successful seasons, I am personally so excited to see what this next year of the National Aviary Peregrine FalconCam brings!”

A few weeks after the banding, the chicks officially fledged the nest, though they continued to stay nearby, like in June, where one of the females (unofficially going by the moniker of Yellow as she is recognizable through her yellow band) was last spotted on camera briefly perched on the nest box. Since then, after building the flying and hunting skills necessary for independent survival, we believe the three to have taken off to start their next chapter. Thanks to their genders, we have an idea of where they may each land; their banding will tell us where they ultimately end up. Peregrine females usually fly father distances than males—and may even “set up shop” as far away as Ontario, while males tend to stick closer to the nest region. Only time (and eventually more data) will tell!

Stay tuned as we hopefully gear up for new, exciting developments and adorable hatchlings from Carla and Ecco in 2026!

For more news about all of Pittsburgh’s Peregrine Falcons, visit Outside My Window, Kate St. John’s Bird Blog. Thank you, Kate, for your continued support of the National Aviary Peregrine FalconCam.

The National Aviary would also like to thank Rush Order Tees and Ninja Transfers for their sponsorship of the National Aviary Peregrine FalconCam, as well as the University of Pittsburgh for their continued commitment to the conservation of Peregrine Falcons.

Questions about Peregrine Falcons and other wild birds? Contact [email protected].