I’m not certain how much information you need, but I’ll give it a shot!

The Peregrine Falcons you see on our website are the first pair of Peregrines to nest in Ontario, and raise young naturally, in 40 years. They have raised two families already, and are presently feeding three of five young that have hatched in the last week. There is an educational Centre here at the base of the CN Tower, organized by the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada and the World Wildlife Fund, where visitors can see the live images, videotapes of the chicks, and access our internet site.

Peregrines are native to every continent except Antartica, however now they are found in only a portion of their natural range. During the 50’s the use of DDT (a pesticide) caused toxins to collect in the prey the Peregrines hunt. A by-product of the pesticide, DDE, when present in the body causes the shells of the Peregrine eggs to be too thin, resulting in the eggs being crushed during incubation. As a result, the number of Peregrine falcons dropped over the next forty years, causing them to be placed on the Endangered Species List.

Breeding and release programs were initiated by the Canadian Wildlife Service and government agencies in the U.S.A., in addition to privately run programs here and in America. Through these programs, Peregrines were bred and raised in captivity, then fostered at three or four weeks of age out of hack boxes on the top floors and rooftops of high-rise buildings in Canadian cities. These buildings simulate the natural habitat of the Peregrine – cliffs. Peregrines in urban environments feed primarily on pigeons, with songbirds and shorebirds making up the rest of their diet.

These two Peregrines were hacked in the United States – the female, Victoria, is from Philadelphia, and the male, Kingsley, is from Akron, Ohio. They first nested here in 1995, and have stayed in the area ever since. The Peregrine is a migratory bird, but this pair has not left the Toronto area in 2 years. Each family of chicks they have raised have left the area for the South in October, but the parents have stayed. I guess Toronto suits them!

During the next six weeks, viewers will see the young feeding, growing, and exercising their wings and legs as they run up and down the ledge where the nest is. The CWS and the World Wildlife Fund are organizing a „Dawn till Dusk“ watch during the week the young Peregrines fledge, to try and help them through the hazards associated with flying in an urban environment.

It is a wonderful thing for Torontonians and people all over the world to get a glimpse of an Endangered species on the comeback. Peregrines are particularly susceptible to changes in the ecosystem, therefore the health of this species can also be taken as an indication of the general health of the environment. Slowly the species is stabilizing, and we hope they will keep getting stronger in the years to come.

I hope that is not too much information – if you have any questions write me back and I will try to answer them. Thanks again Helmut!

Michelle Leake
Coordinator Peregrine Falcon Watch Centre