It’s young Peregrine falcon time on a California island that is famous for its fast currents, cold water, and infamous prisoners. A new live webcam lets people watch four recently born peregrine falcon chicks on Alcatraz Island. The camera was installed by the National Park Service (NPS) and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. The stationary webcam offers high-definition images even at night. The live broadcast also has a 12-hour backup so that visitors can catch up.
The nest was built by a female falcon called Larry , also known as Lawrencium. Larry was born in 2018 at the University of California, Berkeley’s bell tower. To monitor Larry’s activities in the wild, scientists put a band on her leg when she was a young bird. By 2020, Larry and her male mate were seen breeding onAlcatraz Island . They were hidden with their offspring in a natural cave known as an eyrie on the western side of the island.As stated by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy , this was the first time that Peregrines had ever been recorded nesting on Alcatraz. The pair welcomed four chicks in April 2023, matching their four for this year.Scientists say that the purpose of the live stream is to “share this amazing view of a wild peregrine falcon nest with the world.”
“I hope this live stream creates admiration for Peregrine falcons and sparks viewers’ interest in the other bird life found on Alcatraz as well,” Alcatraz Island biologist Lidia D’Amico
stated Thriving baby California condor is a ray of hope for the unique species.
While most famous for its now-closed prison, Alcatraz Island has been a.]
safe place for birds for years . It’s home to noisy Western Gulls, large Black-crowned Night-Herons, fast Anna’s Hummingbirds, and more.According to the NPS , Peregrine falcons like Larry are the top predators of the island who can be seen hunting other birds, including songbirds, shorebirds, ducks. This behavior is an important reminder that the falcons are wild animals. Parts of the popular island areclosed from the months of February to September to allow for nesting and protecting the birds. Peregrine falcons are the
largest falcons in North America , with an impressive 39 to 43-inch wingspan. They are known for their impressive dives called stoops. Urban-dwelling Peregrines fly high above their intended prey–usually pigeons–before they dive and strike the bird in mid-air. This sharp blow is fatal and scientists estimate diving Peregrine falcons can reachspeeds of over 200 miles per hour Unfortunately, these live-streamed bald eagle eggs likely won’t hatch.
artificial insecticide DDT thinned their egg shells, severely . DDT was banned in 1972 and Peregrine falcons were officially removed from the endangered species list in 1999.“This impressive bird has long been noted for its speed, grace, and aerial skills,”
the National Park Service states . “Now, it is also a representation of the improving situation of endangered animals in America.”These raptors are 'a symbol of America’s recovering threatened and endangered species.'
