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FalcoNet

FalcoNet offers interested birdwatchers and raptor enthusiasts a way to participate directly in the research of the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group. For over thirty years, SCPBRG has monitored the recovery of the peregrine falcon in California. The success of the recovery has been so great that we need a large network of friends to help be our "eyes in the field" so that a more accurate survey of nesting falcons is possible.

Peregrine Falcon

The name "peregrine" means wanderer. The peregrine falcon is a cosmopolitan bird that breeds on every continent, except Antarctica. Currently, there are a conservatively estimated 250 breeding pairs of peregrine falcons in California—up from just two known pairs in 1970! This aerial predator has a wingspread of three to four feet and hunts a wide variety of birds and bats that are captured in the air often during high-speed dives. Male peregrines are "pigeon or crow-sized" while females are a third larger, about the size of a large gull.

Peregrines nest on cliffs throughout California and particularly near rivers, and on sea-coasts, or islands. They also nest on bridges, buildings and other man-made structures. Please don’t approach their nests! A loud "kacking" call indicates that nesting is being disturbed.

The eggshell thinning effects of DDT caused the collapse of peregrine falcon populations worldwide by the 1960’s. Peregrines are recovering rapidly because of protections offered by the Endangered Species Act, restrictions on the use of DDT, reductions in shooting, and releases of captive-reared falcons.

How You Can Help

A volunteer network of observers has made it possible for us to study California’s peregrine falcon population since 1970. As the population increases it is more difficult for our biologists to locate and observe every nest site. Your help as a member of the volunteer network is needed to make it possible for us to continue studying the recovery of this spectacular bird in California.

The peregrine falcon continues to be an important indicator of ecological health and careful monitoring of its population will help us better understand our ecosystem. Please contact us if you are a peregrine observer and want to contribute observations to FalcoNet, the SCPBRG falcon observation network.

For more information see Peregrine Survey

Tips for Observers

Peregrine falcons:

• Often use marshes, salt ponds, dairies, duck refuges, and other areas of prey concentration.
• Often: perch on the ground, cliffs, trees, transmission towers, building ledges, bridges, towers, ships at sea, ships/structures in harbors, and offshore oil rigs.
• Often solitary.
• Often nests near seabird colonies and pigeon concentrations.
• Seldom perch on wires; capture prey on the ground; seen in groups of three or more; or found in desert areas during hot weather.
• Seldom steals prey from other raptors or flies at night.
• Very defensive of nest sites—Never approach nesting birds. Please report suspected nest locations to us.