Just decades ago, peregrine falcons were largely absent from California and much of the U.S. amid widespread use of pesticides. But now, a pair of the fastest birds in the world are nesting on Alcatraz Island in what officials call a "tremendous conservation success" – and you can watch their family blossom live online.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy has launched a live stream of the peregrine falcon nest, one of the first known in recent years on the island that once served as a prison for some of the country's most notorious criminals. The nest was created by a falcon named Larry, short for Lawrencium, who was hatched on the University of California, Berkeley's bell tower. Larry and her male partner were first spotted breeding in 2019.
It wasn't immediately clear if the pair were nesting on the island, but by 2020, the conservancy said it was clear they were raising their family in a cave on the west side of the island. In April 2023, they welcomed four chicks on Alcatraz Island, which the National Park Service says "has long been a sanctuary for birds."
Peregrine Falcons Soar on Alcatraz Island
Known as the apex predators of the island, Peregrine falcons can be spotted hunting other birds, leading to certain areas being closed off from February to September to protect their nests.
Biologists from the National Park Service have been keeping a close eye on the Alcatraz nest since last year. With the introduction of a live stream, the conservancy aims to provide a captivating glimpse of a wild peregrine falcon nest to a global audience.
"These are untamed creatures, and the live camera feed will showcase Peregrines bringing food to the nest and caring for their young," the group explains.
Once on the brink of extinction, Peregrine falcon populations faced a severe decline due to the impact of organic pollutants, particularly the synthetic insecticide DDT. However, their numbers have rebounded, and in 1999, they were removed from the endangered species list.
Described as swift, graceful, and skilled aerial predators, the Peregrine falcon now serves as a symbol of the successful recovery of threatened and endangered species in the United States, as highlighted by the National Park Service.
