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Peregrine Falcons are the world’s fastest animal, capable of diving, or stooping at their prey, at speeds of more than 200 miles per hour!
Peregrine Falcons are one of the most widely distributed land animals in the world, having been observed on every content in the world except for Antarctica. Highly regarded as a noble bird by biologists and licensed falconers, Peregrines have darker, striped plumage and tapered wings for aerodynamic flight.
Although currently classified as Least Concern, Peregrine Falcon populations weren’t always stable. Peregrines essentially disappeared from the east coast in the 1960s, and were on the brink of extinction in the United States (U.S.) due to harmful pesticide effects, particularly DDT. Conservation measures for the species have been very successful, and the U.S. Peregrine Falcon population quickly recovered. The species was removed from the Endangered Species List in 1999, just 29 years after being placed on the list.
To further the study of wild Peregrine Falcon populations, particularly in urban areas, the National Aviary hosts a live stream of the Peregrine family living high atop the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning: The National Aviary’s Peregrine FalconCam. Tune in every spring and summer to see the current happenings of a wild pair – who knows, they might even raise a few chicks!
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.
Learn MoreHold a falcon on your gloved-hand while learning about the world's fastest animal.
Learn MoreHabitat
Historically cliffs near rivers and coastlines; now found mostly in urban areas, where nesting occurs on skyscrapers and within the framework of tall bridges.
Diet
: Primarily birds, especially water birds (it’s old name is “Duck Hawk”), but also pigeons and miscellaneous songbirds and woodpeckers. Sometimes will prey on bats, and rarely on other mammals and insects.
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
Peregrines nest on cliffs or ledges of tall buildings where they lay a group of up to four eggs in a bowl-shaped depression in gravel. The female and male both incubate the eggs for just over a month. Chicks fledge from the nest at around six to seven weeks old. They remain with their parents for several more weeks (6-10) before dispersing up to several hundred kilometers (immature females travel twice as far from their natal grounds compared to the males).
In The News
How to attract orioles to your yard this spring | National Geographic
These songbirds have a conspicuous sweet tooth—but experts say putting out oranges and other fruits isn't the only way to turn your backyard into an oriole hotspot.
Read More »4 peregrine chicks roost atop Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning, one of the city’s most prolific falcon nurseries | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Carla and Ecco have their talons full with four peregrine falcon chicks at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning after four eggs hatched recently.
Read More »Four peregrine falcon eggs hatch in nest on top of Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning | CBS News
There are four peregrine falcon chicks in the nest on top of the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning after all the eggs hatched.
Read More »3 peregrine falcon chicks hatch in Cathedral of Learning nest | MSN
High above the crowds in Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft, the team of a beloved peregrine falcon pair was growing.
Read More »The National Aviary’s football connections | Pittsburgh Today Live
Just steps from where all the action will take place sits the largest indoor aviary in the country! Team PTL's Daisy Jade went over to the National Aviary and learned that there is a football connection!
Read More »