Peregrines

Photo courtesy Peter Slater

The Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus is one of the world's most spectacular falcons. It is also remarkable because it is one of a very small group of birds found worldwide.

Peregrines are versatile birds that are at home in a wide range of habitat types. Some have even taken up residence in major cities; one such pair in Brisbane is the focus of considerable media and public interest.

The Peregrines are nesting on top of Admiralty Towers, in the inner city. The male of the pair has been affectionately named 'Frodo' by staff and readers of the Courier-Mail.

The home life of the pair is on show 24-hours a day to the world via state-of-the-art digital camera equipment. These images can be viewed live on the Courier-Mail website. These images can also be viewed by visitors to the Inquiry Centre, Queensland Museum, South Bank.

Peregrines are formidable aerial predators that hunt and catch other birds on the wing. They have been described as the "ultimate predatory bird" or even as the "Top Guns" of all birds of prey.

Like all "big" predators, Peregrines are uncommon. Each pair permanently holds and defends an area of land (territory) from other Peregrines. The size of the territory varies according to quality of the habitat and availability of prey.

Falcons do not build their own nests, like eagles, hawks and kites. They use the nests of other birds, tree hollows, the ground or cliffs. Most Peregrines nest on cliffs, and for a select few, tall city buildings have become just another cliff!

The pair mate for life: the female being the larger of the two.

Peregrines return to the same site each year to breed, usually between August and November. In cities, they may move nest sites as newer and better locations are constructed around them.

Peregrines may be new addition to Admiralty Towers, but they are not new to the CBD! A pair has resided in inner Brisbane since the mid-1970s.

The Peregrine Falcon is one of six species of falcons native to Australia.

The Courier-Mail's Frodocam is available for viewing here [new window].