PEREGRINE FALCON:
- Fastest animal on the planet (dives at 250-300 MPH to catch birds in the air).
- Nests on tall cliff faces or other structures that dominate the landscape.
- Nest-cup is a “scrape” in dirt or gravel on cliff ledge.
- Incubates eggs 34 days.
- Young fledge at 6 weeks of age.
- Young eventually (6-8 weeks) leave parent’s nest territory.
UC SANTA CRUZ ROLE (Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group at UCSC):
- To provide educational outreach services to school & community groups in San Jose about peregrine falcons.
- To provide expert advice to the City regarding peregrines.
PEREGRINE FALCON HISTORY:
Peregrine falcons were near extinction by 1970 due to environmental contamination by the persistent pesticide, DDT.
Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group at UCSC was formed in 1975 to address this environmental crisis. Today, it continues to address problems and conduct research.
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