The Maternal Instincts of a Female Peregrine Falcon

The peregrine falcon, fast-flying predator and one-time frequent nester on rock ledges across our region, was the first species placed on the federal Endangered Species List. When a pair of peregrines took up residence at downtown Pittsburgh's Gulf Tower in 1991, it was the first nesting in western Pennsylvania in 40 years. In 2002, peregrine-watchers in Pittsburgh began following another nesting pair in Oakland, far enough from the Gulf Tower pair to avoid competition. With financial aid from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, WPC staff and volunteers built a peregrine nest box and University of Pittsburgh administrators granted permission to place the box near the top of the famous Cathedral of Learning on the Pitt campus. The nest box is filled with round pea-size gravel that peregrines create a depression in to ensure their eggs do not roll off the ledge. The pair accepted the offering and nested on the Cathedral. Then, on Mother's Day, the first clutch of “Pitt peregrines” entered the world.

Today's photos, taken by our Webcam achored atop the Gulf Tower in downtown Pittsburgh, shows the recent nesting cycle of the female peregrine. While it is never a good idea to try and impose human qualities on wildlife, the female peregrine does, in fact, exhibit very strong maternal instincts to protect her young. This is especially evident to us on banding day, when the chicks are about three weeks old. The female will swoop, claws out, and attempt to strife any and all human invaders in order to protect her young. Male peregrines also exhibit a protective instinct, but it is not nearly as assertive as the female.

For more information on the peregrine falcon, read WPC Director of Natural Heritage Charlies Bier's Out of the Woods and into the Cities: A perspective on endangered species recovery.

We have two winners in our Guess the Peregrine Due Dates. Congratulations to Kathleen McCharen and Gail Ward.

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