The Return of the Peregrine Falcon
Before the 1960s, peregrine falcons were one of the most widespread birds in the world, nesting at more than 350 sites east of the Mississippi River, including 44 in Pennsylvania. But, long-lived pesticides such as DDT accumulated in falcon food chains, causing the “pesticide raptor syndrome.” Females were unable to produce a sufficient eggshell, resulting in the eggs cracking during incubation.
Populations diminished, with no successful nestings east of the Mississippi River by 1965.
Pictured right, Dan Brauning of the Pa. Game Commission introduces a four-week-old peregrine chick to interested attendees at last year's WPC banding event. Two of the four chicks hatched on the 37th floor of Pittsburgh's Gulf Tower were fitted with satellite telemetry devices that allows scientists to follow their travels.
Photo courtesy of WPC Volunteer Mary Shaw.
See
live video of the Peregrine Falcon nest site from atop
the University of
Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning
and
from
the
Gulf Tower in downtown Pittsburgh.
Peregrine Nesting Activity Schedule
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