Category Archives: Peregrines

Watch Peregrines at the Nest in Australia

Nesting & Courtship, Peregrines
screenshot from 367 Collins Falcons 2025 North Facing Stream, Melbourne, Australia, 2025-11-09, 10:34pm

9 November 2025

Peregrine falcons occur on every continent including Australia and always breed in the spring. In Pittsburgh their time at the nest runs late February to early June. In Australia it runs late August to early November.

The peregrines that nest at 367 Collins in Melbourne, Australia have been putting on such a show this year that they made BBC News yesterday: ‘Nestflix’: Peregrine falcon livestream has Australians glued to their screens.

On 3 November Lady Hawk on YouTube captured their antics at about 30 days old while they had mottled down and new feathers.

video embedded from Lady Hawk on YouTube

Her video combines the 367 Collins Falcons 2025 – North Facing Stream (the nestbox) and the 367 Collins Falcons 2025 – South Facing Stream (the runway).

You might see them when you watch in the morning in the U.S. when it is night in Australia and the peregrines are roosting. By afternoon the peregrines will be waking up, and since they will fledge soon you might not see them.

At top, an adult perches atop the nestbox, visible on the North Facing Stream on Sunday night 9 November at 10:34pm (6:34am Pittsburgh).

Below, two juvies roost at the runway in sight of the South Facing Stream on Sunday night at 10:50pm.

screenshot from 367 Collins Falcons 2025 South Facing Stream, Melbourne, Australia, 2025-11-09, 10:50pm

At this stage young peregrines grow up fast. They will fledge at 38-45 days (my guess is 11-18 November) so watch them soon at 367 Collins Falcons 2025 – North Facing Stream (the nestbox) and 367 Collins Falcons 2025 – South Facing Stream (the runway).

For video of nesting raptors around the world and more Melbourne peregrine videos visit Lady Hawk on YouTube.

Highland Park Bridge: Peregrines 2, Gulls 0

Peregrines, Water and Shore
Allegheny River and Highland Park Bridge, 25 Oct 2025 (photo by Kate St. John)

26 October 2026

Over the years, peregrine falcons have been seen near the Highland Park Bridge but the most recent evidence of nesting was in 2022 when Mark Vass saw an adult feeding a juvenile in late June 2022.

In early March 2024 Justin Kolakowski saw a pair of peregrines chase a bald eagle, then land on the water tower near the bridge. I visited Aspinwall Riverfront Park and walked the trail seven times from March to July that year and found as many as 70 American herring gulls (Larus smithsonianus) but no peregrines. Then on 8 August 2024 I saw 1 peregrine falcon, obviously not nesting, and 60 herring gulls.

August 2024: Peregrines: 1, Gulls: 60

Yesterday I went back to Aspinwall Riverfront Park and was surprised to find no gulls at all — zero — but while I was counting pigeons a peregrine falcon zoomed upriver and made two sharp dive-and-climb displays. I lost track of him when a female peregrine arrived from upstream, flew past him and landed on the bridge. Their size difference was obvious –male and female.

October 2025: Peregrines 2, Gulls 0.

Allegheny River and Highland Park Bridge, 25 Oct 2025 (photo by Kate St. John)

What really counts is the score next June.

Contortionist Preening

Bird Behavior, Peregrines
Common kestrel preening in Poland (photo from Wikimedia Commons)

19 September 2025

Preening is really important for birds because it’s the only way to keep their feathers in tip-top condition. They use their beaks to remove dirt and parasites, waterproof their feathers with preen oil, interlock feather barbules, and set each feather in its proper place. To reach all (*) their feathers, their necks have to be very flexible.

Yesterday Carla, the female peregrine at Univ. of Pittsburgh, spent several hours preening in front of the nestbox. Sometimes she looked like a contortionist.

In the photo below, can you find her head and beak? They aren’t where you think they are.

Carla preening. Where’s her head? Where’s her beak? (photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

Lots of amazing moves in the slideshow below.

snapshot photos from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh

“Ahhhh,” says Carla, “It feels good to stretch!”

Carla stretches her left leg and wing, 18 Sept 2025 (photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

(*) p.s. The only feathers birds cannot reach on their own are the ones on top of their heads. That’s where they need a buddy to help. It’s called allopreening.

Peregrine Migration: Who Migrates & Who Doesn’t

Migration, Peregrines
Peregrine (Gusto) comes in for a landing, February 2022, Ohio (photo by Chad+Chris Saladin)

9 September 2025

Yesterday I mentioned that though many peregrines migrate, Pitt’s peregrines stay here year round. Let’s look at who migrates and who doesn’t with a focus on peregrines in the Americas.

Migratory peregrines

Peregrines eat birds for a living so they have to leave when their food source flies away on migration. In fact peregrines fly with their food because they can catch and eat birds in the air!

North America’s arctic peregrines all leave within a week of the autumnal equinox (22 September this year). In late October 2008 an immature arctic peregrine was passing through Pittsburgh when he got stuck on a balcony. October is when arctic peregrines pass over Pittsburgh, considering when they leave home. Read about his rescue here.

Juvenile arctic Peregrine Falcon found in downtown Pittsburgh, late October 2008 (photo by Todd Katzner)

Here are some of the birds he would have eaten on the breeding grounds — American pipit, northern pintail and lapland longspur. These also leave at the autumnal equinox.

American pipit, Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada (photo from Wikimedia Commons)
American pipit, Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada (photo from Wikimedia Commons)
Northern pintails (photo by Alan Schmierer via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons license)
Northern pintails (photo by Alan Schmierer via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons license)
Lapland longspur (photo from Wikimedia Commons)

The slideshow below dramatically illustrates how quickly arctic peregrines leave on migration. The dark purple blob in Arctic Canada in the week of 20 September is gone by the next week. They are on their way to South America.

Peregrine abundance in North America during the weeks of 20 and 27 September (maps from eBird Status and Trends)

Non-migratory peregrines

Peregrine falcons find a lot to eat in North American cities year round. Pigeons are resident and there’s an influx of migratory starlings in winter.

Pigeons in flight (photo from Wikimedia Commons)
Winter flock of starlings in Newark, Ohio (photo from Wikimedia Commons)

Peregrines are present in eastern North America cities during the shortest days of the year — the week of the winter solstice 20 December. This map indicates they are concentrated at the coast (purple) with a scattering of inland hotspots. The coastal sites include migratory peregrines and wandering immature birds. The inland purple dots are non-migratory peregrines.

Peregrine abundance in eastern North America on the winter solstice, week of Dec 20 (map from eBird Status and Trends)

Pittsburgh Peregrine Fans, notice how Pittsburgh is a dark purple dot on the map in December. Those are reports of our resident peregrines. Good work, eBirders!

Watch as peregrine abundance ebbs and flows across the globe. Some of the purple blobs in the Southern Hemisphere are fascinating.

Peregrine Falcon worldwide abundance throughout the year (animation from eBird Status and Trends)

Pitt Peregrines Strengthen Their Pair Bond

Bird Behavior, Peregrines
Carla and Ecco bow at the Cathedral of Learning peregrine nest, 7 September 2025 (photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

8 September 2025

Some adult peregrines in eastern North America stay on territory year round. The Pitt peregrines at the Cathedral of Learning are one such couple.

With the breeding season over and their youngsters dispersed Ecco and Carla stay home and watch fall migration pass through Pittsburgh. Most migratory birds are of interest as a food source while raptors are watched in case they become a threat.

At night Ecco and Carla roost on the Cathedral of Learning and see each other during the day. They won’t need to court until early next year but they strengthen their pair bond by bowing at the nest a couple of times a week.

Yesterday they spent six minutes at the nest.

Ecco and Carla at the Pitt peregrine nest, 7 September 2025 (photos from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

Spotted Lanternflies Crowd a Peregrine in Ohio

Insects, Spiders, Peregrines, Spotted Lanternflies
Peregrine falcon, “Luna,” can’t believe there’s a bug on her foot, 20 Aug 2025, Rocky River, Ohio (photo by Chris Saladin)

22 August 2025

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t seen a plague of spotted lanternflies in Allegheny County this year. At this time in August 2023 they were everywhere, but not now. At least, not yet.

Spotted lanternflies in the City of Pittsburgh, 21 August 2023 (photo by Kate St. John)

The plague has moved northwest. Spotted lanternflies are overwhelming the Cleveland area right now — so much so that they even climbed up a peregrine’s foot while she was minding her own business in Rocky River. (picture at top; yellow circle around the bug)

Chris Saladin captured photos of the bugs crowding “Luna” as she perched on a lightpost. When she opened her wings to fly there was one on her wing! Ewwww.

Peregrine with spotted lanternfly on her wingtip, 20 Aug 2025, Rocky River, Ohio (photo by Chris Saladin)

Luna went airborne and so did the bugs.

Bird and bugs fly at the same time, 20 Aug 2025, Rocky River, Ohio (photo by Chris Saladin)

These are probably the First Ever photos of the simultaneous flight of peregrine falcon and spotted lanternflies.

Peregrine escapes the lanternflies, 20 Aug 2025, Rocky River, Ohio (photo by Chris Saladin)

Fortunately, in the year after a spotted lanternfly plague their population tapers considerably. There’s hope for summer 2026 in Rocky River.

Juvie Pitt Peregrine Comes Home to Complain

Bird Anatomy, Peregrines
Juvie peregrine “Yellow” whines at the nest, 21 July 2025, 5:04pm (snapshot from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

1 August 2025

Streaming has ended for the season at the National Aviary falconcam, but just before it ended …

On 21 July all three of this year’s young peregrines had been gone from the Cathedral of Learning for more than a month when — Surprise! — a very loud juvie chased Ecco to the nest.

Apparently tired of fending for herself, Yellow arrived on the scene to demand food from her father. But like all good peregrine parents, Ecco would not feed her. She complained bitterly. “I don’t wanna grow up!”

Ecco and immature “Yellow” at the Pitt peregrine nest on 21 July 2025, 5:00pm (video from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

Things went back to normal for a while but six days later, on 27 July, Ecco and Carla arrived at the nest for a bonding session. They had to leave abruptly when a noisy youngster showed up off camera. It was probably Yellow.

Ecco and Carla avoid a noisy youngster off camera, 27 July 2025, 2:45pm (video from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

Eventually Yellow will get the hint, leave the area and finally grow up. I can imagine Carla telling her, “May you have many children just like you.”

p.s. News from Downtown: I’m happy to see the Downtown peregrines are controlling the airspace.

eBird Checklist S258389927
Wed 9 Jul 2025, 12:24 PM
One Oxford Centre, 426–518 4th Ave, Pittsburgh US-PA (40.4383,-79.9986)
Reported by: MONTGOMERY BROWN
1 Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

The falcon was “harassing” a drone that was 350-400 feet off the ground. After about 30 seconds, the drone operator appeared to realize this and flew the drone off toward the Monongahela.

East Liberty Peregrine News

Peregrines
Peregrine at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 11 March 2025 (photo by Jeff Cieslak)

26 July 2025

By now Pittsburgh’s young peregrines have left home — or are about to leave — to begin life on their own. Meanwhile their parents are molting and less active while they avoid the heat.

At East Liberty Presbyterian Church (ELPC), there’s still a bit of peregrine activity because one of the steeple’s three youngsters missed important life lessons in the month of June. He didn’t get a chance to catch up until early July.

In early June a young peregrine was found on the ground in East Liberty about two blocks from the church and taken to rehab at Humane Animal Rescue (HAR) Wildlife Center in Verona. The bird was weak and a routine blood test for lead indicated he needed chelation therapy. By the end of June he was ready for release back at home. Katie Kefalos called me from HAR for contact names at the church and I put her in touch with Ed Moore at ELPC and local peregrine monitor Adam Knoerzer.

On 2 July the weather was perfect for the release so Katie came over to the church with the young bird in a carrier. Ed Moore and ELPC documented the release on Instagram.

Instagram post, 2 July, East Liberty Presbyterian Church:

Two videos in the Instagram post:

There are two videos of the release embedded in the Instagram post. To see them, click on the right arrowhead on the photo, above. In case you can’t see the arrowhead, here’s a screenshot showing it circled in pink.

here’s how to find the arrowhead that will show you the videos (screenshot from Instagram)

The first video contains this moment when the young peregrine hops up out of the carrier. View the video to see him fly away.

Juvenile peregrine hops up to fly away at East Liberty Presbyterian,2 July 2025 (screenshot from embedded ELPC Instagram video)

In flight this week

Even though it’s hot there is still some peregrine activity at East Liberty. Adam Knoerzer watched one flying on Thursday.

What’s This Growing at the Nest?

Peregrines, Plants & Fungi
Something big is growing at the Pitt peregrine nest, 25 July 2025 (snapshot from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

25 July 2025

A rather large plant is growing in the gravel at the Pitt peregrine nest. Though the peregrines generally ignore it I felt compelled to find out what it is and when it started growing.

Harsh sunlight in the snapshots made it hard to see until its small leaves cast shadows on 10 July. At first it grew slowly. Then rain on 16 July prompted a growth spurt.

Yesterday I had a hunch about its identity so I scanned the snapshot into the Picture This plant identification app. I was right. It’s corn! (also called maize)

Picture This identification of the plant at the nest, 24 July 2025

Plants like this grow at peregrine nest sites because the seeds arrive in the crops of birds the adults feed to their nestlings. My guess is that this seed/kernel arrived in late May when the youngsters spent time picking apart the leftovers. Eventually the seed germinated.

Fortunately corn is an annual plant so it will die at the end of the growing season. How tall will it be then?

UPDATE PHOTO on 5 AUG 2025!
Ecco is almost dwarfed by this plant that has been growing in the nest gravel for less than 4 weeks, 5 August 2025 (snapshot from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

Yellow Crashes the Party at Pitt Peregrine Nestbox

Bird Behavior, Peregrines
Yellow crashed in on her mother. Carla left quickly. 23 June 2025 (photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

25 June 2025

On Monday afternoon, 23 June, Carla and Ecco bowed at the nest then Carla was preening when her daughter “Yellow” crashed in. Carla left so quickly that the snapshot didn’t capture it.

Yellow had nothing else to do so she hung out in the heat.

(photos from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

It seems like the “kids” ought to be ready to leave home but they typically don’t depart until mid July. It’s going to be a long couple of weeks for Carla and Ecco.