PENNSYLVANIA PEREGRINE FALCON LIVE CAMERA
Brought to you by the PA Department of Environmental Protection • Powered by HDOnTap
About the Falcon Cam
The peregrine falcon has made its home year after year on the 15th floor of the Rachel Carson State office building in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. There are 4 webcams, including infrared for nighttime viewing, streaming full-time to give the world a glimpse into the life of this magnificent creature!
The first male peregrine falcon was seen in Harrisburg, PA in 1996. Officials from the Pennsylvania Game Commission scouted downtown locations for a suitable site to place a nest tray to see if it would attract a pair of peregrine falcons. The Rachel Carson State Office building was selected since it had a covered ledge 15 stories above the ground. A nest tray was placed on the ledge, and the following spring, the male returned with a female peregrine. For more information about the history visit the PA Department of Environmental Protection website.
A peregrine's diet consists of songbirds and other migratory birds. Living in an urban environment, the resident falcons tend to feed on pigeons, blue jays, woodpeckers and other small birds.
Peregrine falcons are strong fliers and reportedly the fastest bird in the world. Their average cruising flight speed is 24 to 33 mph, increasing to 67 mph when in pursuit of prey. When stooping, or dropping on prey with closed wings, it has been calculated that this falcon can achieve speeds of over 200 mph. That's approximately 50 mph faster than the top speed of the Golden Eagle.
Mortality is very high in the first year of life -- between 60 and 80 percent. Those few peregrines that survive to old age may reach 12 to 15 years. Most peregrines become sexually mature at two or three years of age.
Like some other raptors, the female is larger than the male, but their markings and colors are very similar.