Wildlife

Peregrine Falcons in Urban Environments: Welfare and Coexistence

Welfare guide for urban-nesting peregrine falcons — a conservation success story with ongoing welfare challenges.

Key Facts

Peregrine falcons have dramatically expanded into urban areas, nesting on tall buildings and bridges
Urban peregrines face welfare threats from glass collisions, rodenticide poisoning via prey, and nest disturbance
Nesting sites on buildings require careful management to protect eggs and chicks from disturbance
Fledgling peregrines are at high mortality risk in urban environments — collisions and ground landing are common hazards
Rodenticide contamination of prey (primarily pigeons) causes secondary poisoning in urban peregrines
Webcams on urban peregrine nests have generated enormous public interest and welfare monitoring capacity
Urban peregrines appear to show high breeding success compared to rural populations
Public engagement with peregrine welfare has created widespread awareness of raptor conservation issues

Welfare Significance

Urban peregrines represent one of conservation's great success stories, but individual bird welfare requires active management. Reducing rodenticide use, preventing glass collisions, and monitoring nest sites enables thriving urban populations. Public engagement through nest cameras creates a community of welfare advocates for individual birds and their chicks.

What You Can Do

Advocate for rodenticide reduction policies in urban areas
Report injured or grounded peregrine fledglings to local raptor rescue groups
Support peregrine nest camera projects in your city
Use bird-safe glass in new buildings to reduce collision risk