Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
   
 
Narrative and Science Lens
 

These birds, whose dives can reach speeds of 200 m.p.h., don't always take down ducks, as Audubon shows here. Around here and other populated regions, they often target pigeons, which helps account for their increasing numbers in urban areas where feral/ street pigeons numbers are high. Urban peregrines may be far from traditional cliff ledge nest sites, but they have adapted well to the ledges of tall buildings. Hoover Tower attracts these birds from time to time, and it's not beyond hope that the birds would decide to nest them. They might, however, need a little help: As you see in the video cam from San Francisco, a nest box with stones might be more inviting than the cement surface now available.
 
  Campus Locations
Occasionally seen perched on Hoover Tower; seen March 2011, last seen February 2013. Similar Species: Prairie Falcon
 

Campus sustainability

  This2013 photo by Rohan Kamath, shows a Peregrine Falcon at Hoover Tower. That year one and sometimes a pair perched on a HT ledge, but no one witnessed nest-building efforts. Nesting pairs, however, can be found not far from campus; a pair has used the hanger at Moffit Field, and [Steve add?].

With crusing speeds of 40-50 m.p.h, HT is not too far from the rich baylands to make it a great potential nesting site, as long asthe birds could avoid entering the territories of other peregrines along the way.
  What you can do
  1. Report any sightings—especially if flying near or perched on Hoover Tower. It would be helpful to know their flight direction and/or perch location on Hoover Tower
  2. Record activity--flying, perching, feeding, being mobbed by other birds, passing through, stopping elsewhere on campus?
 
  Science
       Essays from The Birder’s Handbook:
            Conservation; How Fast?; Raptor Hunting; Size and Sex; Courtship Feeding, Mobbing
       References:
           Cade, 1982; Cade et al., 1971; Craig, 1986; Cramp and Simmons, 1980; Ratcliffe, 1980; Temple, 1978.
       Videos: San Francisco Nest Cam
  Art
       Photos:
            T (g)
       Drawings and Paintings:
            DW drawing after Audubon
 
  To add reports or images please submit them via the Art at Exits home page