High velocity: the city predator

The Peregrine is arguably the most well-known bird of prey species in the world, up there with the generic ‘eagle’. Due to its dramatic hunting technique, it has been lauded throughout human history and has often been associated with depicting aggression, bravery and martial prowess. Indeed, the Peregrine was crowned for its aerial power. The Western European nobility used the birds for hunting since the late Middle Ages, and they were second only to the larger Gyrfalcon, which was the falcon of the kings. Additionally, there have been millions of words written about Peregrines over the ages. They held a significant place in literature, most notably in author J.A. Baker’s The Peregrine, which chronicled his observations of the species between 1955–1965. It has been widely celebrated and held in high esteem by many. Read more about The Peregrine

The actual story of the Peregrine is a fascinating journey that features man’s blind ambition to exterminate nature, only to realise at the last minute that it is worth saving. In my lifetime, Peregrines have gone from being the ultimate birder’s bird – rare, much sought after embodiments of the wildest of the wild – to being readily seen, revered kings of the concrete jungles. All within a relatively short time.

The Peregrine’s arrival into our cities has been nothing short of remarkable. Once driven close to extinction – with its total UK population after World War II judged at being in the low hundreds – this falcon has reclaimed the British Isles with the same audacity it uses when plummeting at over 200 miles per hour after prey. And nowhere has that revival been more visible, more tangible, than in the Big Smoke. London’s skyline – a jagged forest of tower blocks, hospital rooftops, cranes and cathedral spires – has become prime real estate for a bird that historically nested on remote sea cliffs. After surviving the devasting effects of the now-banned DDT poisoning in the ’50s and ’60s and the wholesale persecution that they once suffered (although, illegal killings are still a problem to this day), they have managed to bounce back.

Find out more about how Peregrines and other raptors hunt

The Peregrine’s invasion of our cities makes total sense. As a species, why struggle to survive in a wilderness with varying amounts of food when you could move to the city where the living is easy? There are no shortages of surrogate cliff ledges on which to nest and the birds exist within sight of abundant prey. London now has the largest urban breeding population of this magnificent falcon with at least 50 pairs – some sources cite over 100 pairs. The next most populous city is New York. Indeed, in the top 10 global Peregrine cities, three UK cities are listed alongside seven in North America.

Of course, Peregrines do not only exist in the world’s cities. They are also still found in their natal wild habitats. Their breeding range covers the Arctic tundra to the tropics. They are only absent from extreme polar regions, very high mountains and most tropical rainforests. They are also absent from New Zealand and Antarctica. This makes them the most widespread bird of prey in the world and the most geographically spread land-based bird in the world, second only to their favourite prey: the Feral Pigeon.

High above Glasgow on the Gilbert Scott Tower, Peregrines are nesting and successfully fledging chicks. Video: The RSPB

I have had the pleasure of seeing this amazing avian predator on all the continents that it exists. And with each sighting, I have been left spellbound. Their presence in some of our cities goes to prove that we can live with apex predators, and not only allow them to thrive but to enjoy and praise every second of their existence. Long may that continue.