Meet the Falcon

On Tuesday, February 4, several members of the Facilities Management and Institute for Comparative Medicine (ICM) teams partnered to rescue and release a peregrine falcon from a mechanical and engineering room located in the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons building.

Peregrine falcons are fascinating birds, especially in the New York City region. Here are a few feathered facts you might not know:

An image of a Peregrine Falcon that found its way into a mehanical and engineering room on the CUIMC campus. The beautiful bird was released back into the wild.
  1. Urban Nesting: Peregrine falcons in NYC often nest on skyscrapers and bridges, which mimic the high cliffs they naturally prefer. Some known nesting sites include the Throgs Neck Bridge, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and 55 Water Street in the Financial District.
  2. Speed: They are the fastest animals on the planet, capable of reaching speeds over 200 mph during their hunting dives
  3. Population Recovery: Peregrine falcons were once on the brink of extinction in the U.S. due to DDT pesticide poisoning. They were reintroduced to NYC in the 1980s and have since made a remarkable recovery. As of 2019, there were about 25 pairs in the city.
  4. Endangered Status: While they have been removed from the federal endangered species list, peregrine falcons remain endangered in New York State.
  5. Diet and Hunting: These falcons primarily feed on other birds, which they catch mid-flight. Their incredible speed and agility make them formidable hunters.
  6. Lifespan and Reproduction: Peregrine falcons generally mate for life and return to the same nesting sites each year. They can live up to 20 years.
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