Peregrine falcons have successfully colonised UK cities, nesting on buildings and feeding on feral pigeons. Urban peregrines demonstrate remarkable adaptability, but also face specific urban welfare challenges.
Urban peregrine welfare is generally good - the abundant pigeon prey in cities provides a reliable food source that eliminates seasonal prey shortages experienced by upland pairs. Window strikes are the primary acute welfare concern - high-speed pursuit of prey through urban canyons regularly results in birds hitting glass, causing concussion, fractures, and occasionally death. Individual falcons that fall to the street following window strikes require specialist raptor rehabilitation. The welfare of urban peregrines is also indirectly affected by the welfare of their prey species - very thin or sick pigeons provide lower nutritional value, and concerns about anticoagulant rodenticide accumulation in urban pigeons affecting predators including peregrines are increasing.