Peregrines Are Nesting in Cities from Coast to Coast in the United States

Peregrines nest in towns and cities from coast to coast in the United States. The urban locations make the birds easier to watch, which leads to an abundant supply of photos and videos as the puffy progeny come out of their shells each spring.

Peregrines, like bald eagles, nearly went extinct during the mid-20th century because of exposure to the pesticide DDT. By the time the species was given federal endangered species protection in the 1970s, there were just 324 known nesting pairs, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Today there are 2,000 to 3,000 pairs, according to the agency, which took the species off the federal endangered species list in 1999.

Wildlife officials around the country continue to monitor the birds, however. Many cities make special efforts to manage local peregrine nesting sites, providing special structures and banding baby birds for future tracking. Partly this is good public relations, but with peregrine numbers still relatively low, the extra attention also helps biologists keep tabs on the health of individual birds as they grow up and find mates of their own.

This new peregrine family includes one baby male and three baby females. They live in a special nesting box set 215 feet up a tower of the Marine Parkway Bridge in New York City. City and state wildlife officials recently banded the chicks so they can be tracked as they mate and raise their own families.

Peregrine falcons have endangered species status in New York state.

In Lowell, Massachusetts, last week, a peregrine named Merri flew over the head of a staffer from the Massachusetts fish and wildlife agency, who had just returned her newly banded chicks to their nest.

This falcon family’s home is a rooftop nesting box atop the 18 story tall Fox Hall, a dormitory on the University of Massachusetts–Lowell campus.

One of Merri’s chicks, newly banded and ready for its close-up. UMass regularly posts video streams and status updates on this falcon family.

Merri has been raising chicks at Fox Hall for 10 years, according to the university.

These downy peregrine babies—two males and two females—are nesting 693 feet above sea level atop New York City’s Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, which connects Brooklyn and Staten Island.

According to a statement from the Metropolitan Transit Authority, which manages the city’s river crossings, 12 peregrine babies are in residence this season on three of the city’s bridges.

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Washington, DC: Three Bald Eagle Nests Have Been Sighted With Baby Eaglets Inside

The National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a helicopter survey Thursday along the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, although it had to be cut short due to wind.

All three of the nests sighted were active, with an adult either brooding (caring for young) or incubating, said the agencies.

At the National Arboretum, an adult female was spotted sitting on a nest. Experts said it was difficult to confirm whether she was incubating or brooding, but they believe there is a recent hatchling or hatchlings in the nest due to the way the female positioned her shoulders and a slight "blanketing" of her breast feathers. There were two fish in the nest.

During a ground survey the same day, a male bald eagle was seen delivering a fish to the nest. The female stood and began breaking the fish into small pieces, appearing to demonstrate feeding behavior.

The agencies will make another check of the National Arboretum in mid-April.


These are not the eaglets.
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Do You Love Watching Birds? Did You Know that there Are Over 10,000 Various Species Across the World? (Videos)

There are over 10,000 various species of birds across the world. These feathered creatures are warm-blooded, can fly due to their wings, and lay eggs (as opposed to mammals). From varied size, communication skills, migration patterns, diet and feeding requirements, shapes, colors, to types of flight, these creatures are nothing short of a marvel.

Avocets

There are 4 different species of Avocet found around the world - Pied Avocet, Red-necked Avocet, Andean Avocet, and American Avocet. This bird is found in North and South America, Europe, and even Australia. This long-legged bird has webbed feet and an upturned, thin bill. They live in large colonies and have been known to become quite aggressive and defensive, if feel threatened.











Bald Eagles

The bald eagle is found in marshes and near coastlines. They have very large and broad wings, with a broad tail. The head and tail are white in color, which is the major distinguishable factor of the bald eagle. The long, hooked bill is yellow in color. They prey on fish, ducks, rabbits, raccoons, beavers, geese, gulls, reptiles, etc.

Catbirds

Catbirds are known to imitate the sounds of other birds. They are gray in color, and have a shade of chestnut, just under their tail. Different species of Catbirds are found in various parts of the world - Spotted Catbird, Green Catbird, White-eared Catbird, Tooth-billed Catbird, Gray Catbird, Black Catbird, and Abyssinian Catbird.

Doves

Doves are smaller than pigeons and have a longer tail in appearance. Doves are found throughout the world and these are also a symbol of romance as well as peace. They feed on fruits, plants, and seeds to survive. There are different species of doves found - Dwarf Fruit Dove, Eared Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, Laughing Dove, Whistling Dove, Caroline Ground-dove, Grenada Dove, Black-banded Fruit Dove, Moreno's Ground Dove, Rock Dove, Atoll Fruit Dove, Orange Dove, Socorro Dove, Polynesian Ground Dove, and Ruddy Ground Dove.

Eastern Bluebirds

These are around 6½ inches in length. Such birds are found mainly in gardens, woodlands, and orchards with the arrival of spring. Male Eastern Bluebirds are bright blue on the upper half and have a white belly. Female Eastern Bluebirds have a grayish head with shades of blue as well. New York and Missouri have named this creature as their state bird.

Flamingos

These pink-bodied birds with a unique beak, are generally found in large colonies. The beaks are capable of eliminating mud and silt before they can eat their food. Flamingos can be found in many African countries, areas of Florida, and one particular type of species is found only in the Andean highlands. The various Flamingo species are - Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, American Flamingo, Andean Flamingo, James's Flamingo, and Chilean Flamingo.

Geese

There are 3 different types of geese found around the globe - grey geese (Anser), black geese (Branta), and white geese (Chen). Geese are medium to large in size and can be domesticated easily. There are many species of the same; most of which migrate to various places each year. This bird is vegetarian by nature, therefore not a favorite when it comes to farmers trying to protect their crops.

Herons

Herons have a slight resemblance to storks, spoonbills, etc. These are also known as egrets or bitterns. These are generally found near wetlands. They feed on fish, insects, and other aquatic animals. There are about 64 different species of herons found in the world.

Kingfishers

There are over 90 various species of Kingfishers found in the woodland areas as well as wetlands, across the world. They are superb divers when it comes to catching fish in the rivers. Their pointed bills are what help them bag the catch. Kingfishers have superb eyesight whether they are in air or under water.

Magpies

This bird is considered to be a thief because it is known to steal young birds away from the nests. Such is the reputation of the magpie that it turned out to be the main culprit in the popular Tintin series, The Castafiore Emerald. There are many species of the same. These are self-reliant from their young age when it comes to hunting for their food.

Owls

Sleep by the day, awake through the night; these hunt in the night for insects, rats, hares, certain fish, and other birds. There are many varieties of owls and many of these are found all over except for regions of Antarctica and remote islands. Although, they can be divided up into 2 distinct families - Strigidae and Tytonidae. The unique feature of owls is that it can rotate its head in any direction.

Penguins

Penguins are found in the Southern hemisphere; most Antarctica. The Emperor Penguin is the largest of these species. These are aquatic birds, which cannot fly. There a few species that are found in the temperate zone, like the Galápagos Penguins, as well. The most fascinating quality about penguins is that they tend to live half of their lives in the chilly waters of the ocean and the other half on icy land.

Peafowls

The Peafowl includes two species of birds. The male is called the peacock and the female, a peahen. In India, the peacock enjoys the position of a national bird and is most admired for its attractive tail, which is displayed during the courtship period. They mostly feed on flower petals, seeds, insects, reptiles, and certain parts of plants.

Quails

Quails belong to the pheasant family. These are medium-sized and feed mainly on seeds and insects. Certain species of quail are hunted in the wild or on farms, raised to be cooked, or even produce eggs.

Roadrunners

Roadrunners are generally found in the deserts of Southwestern United States, Central America and Mexico. Such birds feed largely on insects and lead either a solitary life or in pairs. There are two different species of roadrunners found - Greater Roadrunner and Lesser Roadrunner. They feed on insects, certain reptiles, rodents, fruits, seeds, and small mammals.

Sparrows

Sparrows are plump and have powerful beaks. These include seeds and insects in their diet. These like to dust bathe. For this, they will dig a little bit of earth with their feet, lie on the dirt, and fling it around. This way, dust falls on their bodies and wings. They also like to do the same in water.

Toucans

Toucans have a very colorful and large bill, which is the most distinguishing factor of these birds. These are brightly colored, flamboyant birds. These eat fruits but can also include insects in their diet as well. Such birds are non migratory and nest in tree holes.

Vultures

Vultures are easily distinguished because of their bald head and brown bodies. These are scavengers and generally kill only the wounded or sick animals. They tend to wait for another carnivore or scavenger to eat the carcass first, and then make its move when possible.

Woodpeckers

The woodpecker probably got its name because of the tapping sound it creates when it pecks on the tree trunks. This method is used as means of communication as well as to find insects in the tree trunk.









There are many beautiful and attractive birds, such as parrots, hornbills, cranes, weavers, ostriches, emus, swans, ducks, swallows, etc., one can see in nature apart from these. These are better off in their natural surrounding, so if you think you can have it as a pet, you need to think again! These would prefer to have their own freedom rather being cooped up in a cage. Observe and enjoy their presence, but from a distance!

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