Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 August 2011 11:16
Camera 1 Camera 2
PEREGRINE FALCONS have used nesting locations in downtown Salt Lake City since 1984. This spring, like most, the falcons are using a nesting box located on the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at South Temple and Main Street. If you're in downtown Salt Lake City, look up — if you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of these amazing birds.
The links on this page lead to live video feeds of the activities inside the nesting box. Viewing the peregrine falcons requires a fast Internet connection. It might take a minute or two for the video to load depending on the traffic to the cameras. Please be patient.
August 2, 2011
We have the results from the necropsies for Amelia and Sally.
Neither bird showed any sign of infectious disease, but the lab saw evidence that both birds had suffered from large falls. Amelia had a ruptured crop that led to a bacterial infection and a bruised heart. Sally was extremely emaciated and her crop and intestines were completely empty. She also had a contusion on the top of her head that was likely caused by a large fall.
August 1, 2011
Bobby and Charlie were spotted roosting on the north side of the Church Office Building last night. Bob feels much better about the two young birds but is still keeping a close eye on things.
We are still waiting for results on the tests on Amelie and Sally. Hopefully we will hear something soon.
July 27, 2011
We are sad to report that Sally passed away on Tuesday and Amelia, who was first out of the box, passed away overnight on Wednesday.
Before she died, Amelia was taken to a rehabber because Bob and others had observed some strange behavior. The rehabber picked her up yesterday evening and Amelia seemed to be doing okay.
Right now, it's unknown what caused the deaths of Amelia and Sally. Our biologists are going to perform necropsies (autopsies) on the two birds in order to try to figure out what happened and, more importantly, to try to protect the other two birds.
July 18, 2011
All four young falcons continue to test their wings. All have been rescued and released several times during the flight-training process. In the latest incident (happened just this morning), "Bobbi" was found trapped on the observation deck of a downtown office building. She was released shortly thereafter. Hopefully, other downtown building managers will keep an eye on their rooftops and notify us if they see Bobbi or her siblings in a similar situation.
July 14, 2011
The four young peregrine falcons are thriving. So much so that the volunteers have very little to do and probably won't stick around downtown for much longer. Overall, despite a few scares, it has been a very successful flight training season.
Don't forget: For updates about and to see video and photos of the falcons, visit the Salt Lake City Peregrine Falcons fan page on Facebook.
July 7, 2011
All four young peregrine falcons have taken their first flights. Best of all, you can see video of the flights on their Facebook page
July 6, 2011
We had our first flight this morning at 6:18 AM and it was a success! One of the four young birds flew out of the nest box and landed safely on the Administration Building.
June 20, 2011
WANTED: We need volunteers to help monitor and rescue young-of-the-year peregrine falcons during their flight training period.
When & Where: The flight training period could begin as early as July 4. If you'd like to help, please join us for Salt Lake City peregrine falcon field trip and volunteer orientation meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28. We will meet just east of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, which is south of the tall Church Office Building.
June 1, 2011
The fourth of four eyases hatched at 7:55 A.M. on Tuesday, May 31.
May 28, 2011
The first egg hatched Saturday morning, May 28. Everything appears normal.
April 27, 2011 update
There are now four eggs in the nest, which is a normal clutch size. The two parents are sharing the care and incubation responsibilities. Camera 2 will give you a better chance of seeing the parents and the four eggs. We expect the eggs to hatch between May 24 and May 26 but, as always, there are no guarantees.
First reported appearance: egg 1: April 19; egg 2: April 22; egg 3: April 24; egg 4: April 27
April 5, 2011 update
The cameras are now online. Keep an eye on Camera 1 and you may even spot a falcon.
March 14, 2011 update
Salt Lake City's peregrine falcon adults have been observed in the area of the nest box located on the east face of at the northeast corner of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in downtown Salt Lake City.
Although the sexes are outwardly similar, there are a few differences. If you would like to identify the adults more easily, here are a few tips.
The male tiercel, or tercel, is generally one-fourth to one-third smaller in size than the female. He typically appears darker in color and his malars (the dark wedge below the eye) are broader with rounded tips.
The female falcon appears grayer and has narrow malars with pointy tips. The buff-colored area at the tip of her tail is wider than the male's.
Peregrine falcons do not build nests from grass or twigs. Usually, they create a scrape (a shallow depression in the substrate) on ledges, cliffs, or — in this case — a high, protected spot on a downtown Salt Lake City building. Once a nesting site is established, it may be reused year after year, although alternative sites have been utilized as well.
Over the years, with the help of the Salt Lake City Peregrine Falcon Watchpost Team members, a surprisingly large number of birds have survived flight training and successfully learned to fly. From 1986 through 1990 and 1995, 11 of 14 young learned to fly and dispersed to the wild. From 2004 through 2009, 10 of 13 young successfully departed to wilder haunts. From 1991 through 1993, five of six young reached the flying stage and dispersed from a cliff nest site located just north of the downtown area.
Peregrines are hunters extraordinaire that prey almost exclusively on birds caught in mid-air. Considered one of the world's fastest animals, peregrines can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour during vertical dives. The pigeon population of downtown Salt Lake City provides ample food, but, through the years, more than 35 other bird species have fallen prey to these magnificent, awe-inspiring flyers. Many falcon prey species are not normally found in urban environments, which indicates that the falcons forage within and beyond the confines of the big city.
The peregrine falcon was removed from the federal Endangered Species List in 1999. The Utah peregrine population is recovering statewide, and the species continues to enjoy protection under Utah State Code and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Two of the three North American subspecies can be seen in Utah. The continental form, subspecies anatum, is a Utah nester that can be seen year round. The tundra form, subspecies tundrius, is a migrant that can be seen during the spring and fall
More information:
These links launch separate windows. Turn up the volume to hear sound.
Recent archived video
Contact Bob Walters for details: BobWalters@utah.gov or 801-209-5326.
