Peregrine Falcon Welfare: Urban Recovery and New Challenges

Peregrine falcons have recovered dramatically in UK cities following the banning of organochlorine pesticides, but urban living presents new welfare challenges alongside opportunities.

Key Facts

UK peregrine populations have recovered from around 360 pairs in the 1960s to over 1,700 pairs
Urban peregrines nest on tall buildings, bridges, and cathedrals in many UK cities
Feral pigeon prey availability in cities supports year-round urban residence
Urban peregrines face welfare threats including plate glass strikes, rat poison secondary poisoning, and nest disturbance
Nest cameras on urban nest sites provide unprecedented welfare monitoring and public engagement

Welfare Considerations

Urban peregrine welfare challenges include collision with glass buildings during high-speed hunts — peregrines reach 300 km/h in stoops and cannot always distinguish glass from open air. Survivors of glass strikes may have serious injuries requiring rehabilitation. Secondary poisoning from rats killed with rodenticide is documented in urban peregrine populations. Nest disturbance by building maintenance workers, roofers, and curious members of the public can cause nest failure. Positive welfare aspects of urban life include abundant prey, warmer temperatures reducing overwinter mortality, and freedom from persecution that remains a problem in rural areas. The net welfare impact of urbanisation on peregrines appears positive given population growth.

What You Can Do

Do not disturb peregrine nest sites; maintain distance and use binoculars
Report any suspected nest disturbance to RSPB and local wildlife groups
Support building bird strike mitigation features that reduce glass collision risk
Follow nest camera platforms to observe urban peregrines without causing disturbance