Illinois Removes Peregrine From Endangered List

[hatrack]

CHICAGO - The peregrine falcon, which has gone from near-extinction to noshing on pigeons in downtown Chicago, is flying off Illinois' endangered species list. Nearly wiped out of the Midwest by the 1960s by DDT, the state's falcon population has stabilized thanks to the 1972 federal ban of the pesticide and a reintroduction effort that began in the late 1980s, state wildlife officials said Wednesday.

Wildlife experts were surprised when the cliff-dwelling raptor chose city life, perching on skyscrapers, apartment buildings and smokestacks, over more rural digs downstate.

One pair made its nest in a flowerpot at a hotel along touristy North Michigan Avenue, wildlife officials said. Another opted for the roof of a historic theater on the city's North Side. "It's a wonderful accident that this particular species can be successful in a city environment," said Dan Gooch, chairman of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board.

Conservationists counted 10 breeding pairs of peregrine falcons in Chicago and its suburbs last year, compared with just one pair in 1990, according to the Chicago Peregrine Program run by Chicago's Field Museum."

EDIT

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/nation/8380409.htm

[Elad]

1. That's fascinating

I've noticed soaring birds of prey on 3 separate occasions in the western suburbs, over the last 10 months or so. Once while driving past a forest preserve off of 355, and twice right near my apartment, actually (there's a lake with a lot of wildlife here).

I assumed they were hawks of some sort, but it was really cool to see them in "civilization," and I wondered how they'd come about to return to populated areas. I suppose now, reading that story, that they may have been peregrine falcons. Next time I see one I'll have to see if I can get a better look.

[hatrack]

2. Next time you see one, look for crossbow wings

If the bird's wings have that shape, it's a falcon, and if you're lucky, it'll be a peregrine.

My wife and I were at Canyonlands in Utah last summer. Right when we walked up to the edge of Grandview Point, a peregrine whizzed by, no more than 30 feet away, screaming. Astonishing, impressive animal!!

[Elad]

5. Thanks for the tip

I'll be sure to look for that. The second time I saw the bird outside my apartment, it swooped down in front of my car and landed 30 or so feet off to my right and stood perfectly still, staring at something down by the lake.

It was cool, I was able to get a good look at it, but unfortunately I was in a hurry and couldn't stick around to really memorize the features.

[amazona]

3. you can't assume a suburban hawk is a peregrine

There are several species of hawks that can do very well in an suburban environment. I've seen Peregrine, Kestrel, and Cooper's Hawk (not even a falcon but an accipiter) in frankly downtown environments, get even somewhat suburban, and you have a whole bird book full of choices. Large chunky hawk with a belly band, that's a Red-Tailed Hawk -- a very likely hawk for you to see (don't worry about the red tail, some have it, some don't).

A book that doesn't weigh too much, that you can stick in your car, is the Petersen Field Guide called "Hawks of North America" by William S. Clark and Brian K. Wheeler. General bird guides will have you tearing you hair trying to identify hawks, especially because the very common Red-Tailed Hawk has so many "looks."

[Elad]

4. Every city is different

I don't know where you live, but here around Chicago I personally find it incredibly fascinating that peregrine falcons are starting to make homes in urban and suburban environments. I'm not assuming anything, but having lived in this area for several years and only recently starting to see large birds of prey, and then reading this story, I find that very encouraging and worthy of further investigation.

Thanks for the tip on the book, I'll check it out! :)

[amazona]

6. a little treat for ya

I live in south Louisiana, and it seems our peregrines have a fondness for water towers. Often the urban skyscraper falcons I have seen here have been American Kestrel (the former Sparrowhawk).

Anyway, here's a little something that might prove useful -- a bird list for Chicago:

http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Environment/BirdMigration/sub/chicago_bird_checklist.html

The printing is a little hazy on my monitor but it looks like a good list for so far north. Actually many of the birds of prey are the same, but I bet we see some of them at different times of the year, for instance, our Bald Eagles here breed in winter.

I forgot to say if you see them sort of sailing over a flat grassland or marshland like they are looking for something, good chance it's a Northern Harrier.

Enjoy!