Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
   
 
Narrative and Science Lens
 
Peregrine Falcons, whose aerial dives can reach speeds of 200 m.p.h., don't always take down ducks, as Audubon has portrayed. Around here and in other populated regions, they often target pigeons. Urban areas where feral/street pigeon numbers are high attract these falcons and they have adapted well to city scapes with tall buildings.

Historically, Peregrine Falcons nested primarily on cliffs. Today, however, the majority nesting in the San Francisco Bay area nest on buildings, bridges, electrical towers, and other human-built structures where they reuse nests constructed by species such as Common Ravens and Double-crested Cormorants. As a result of this plasticity, they have become more widespread here as breeders. Hoover Tower attracts these birds from time to time, and it's not beyond hope that the birds will nest there. They might, however, need a little help: As you see in the San Francisco video cam (below), a nest box with stones might be more inviting than the cement surface.
 
  Campus Locations
Occasionally seen perched on Hoover Tower; last reported February 2019. Similar Species: Prairie Falcon (which is much less frequently seen on campus).
 

Campus sustainability

  Image courtesy of Rohan Kamath Populations have rebounded due to the banning of DDT, and these falcons were removed from both federal and state endangered species lists in 2009 and 1999, respectively.

This 2013 photo by Rohan Kamath shows a Peregrine Falcon at Hoover Tower. That year one peregrine and sometimes a pair perched on a Hoover Tower ledge, but no one witnessed courtship or other evidence of a nesting attempt. Nesting pairs, however, can be found not far from campus; in nearby Mountain View, a pair has used the hangar at Moffett Field and old cormorant nests on electrical towers at the edge of the bay. Given this species’ cruising speeds of 40-50 m.p.h., Hoover Tower is not too far from the rich Baylands to make it a great potential nesting site, as long as the birds can avoid entering the territories of other peregrines while en route.
       What you can do
  1. Share any sightings, especially if you see the falcons flying near or perched on Hoover Tower, and if they are calling or displaying to each other. When you submit the sightings (see below) it would be helpful to know the flight direction--and if the bird(s) was being mobbed. If perched on Hoover Tower, it would be helpful to know which side (Mem Aud, SJ, Dish, SF)
 
  Science
       Essays from The Birder’s Handbook:
            Conservation of Raptors; How Fast?; Raptor Hunting; Size and Sex; Courtship Feeding, Mobbing
       References:
           Cade, 1982; Cade et al., 1971; Craig, 1986; Cramp and Simmons, 1980; Ratcliffe, 1980; Temple, 1978.

       Videos: San Francisco Nest Cam
  Art
       Photos:
            Johanna van de Woestijne's photo of Peregrine Falcon hunting shorebirds at Coyote Point Marina, San Mateo, CA. See more of Johanna's photographs.
       Drawings and Paintings:
                      Darryl Wheye: Peregrine Falcon, after Audubon--with Pigeons
 
  To add to the Science or Art links, submit bird sightings, comment on the exhibit or the web presentation, or ask questions, please use the web forms on the Art at Exits home page To submit a haiku about a Peregrine Falcon, please use this webform.