The Chicago Peregrine Program

TL;DR

The Peregrine Falcon Program at the Field Museum in Chicago aims to breed and release captive birds to restore the Midwest and Eastern U.S. populations.

Transcript

[[The Brain Scoop theme ]] Emily: So we're back at the museum with Mary Hennen who is Collections Assistant here in birds, as well as the director of the Peregrine Falcon Program. So, can you tell us a little bit about the background of the program and how it relates to what we're doing here at the Field Museum? Mary: The program came around in the... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 The Peregrine Falcon Program successfully reintroduced the species to Illinois, leading to their removal from the endangered and threatened species list in the state.
• 😮 Peregrine falcons have adapted to nesting on high-rise buildings in urban areas, utilizing the ledges as substitutes for their natural cliff habitats.
• 😒 The use of auxiliary markers on the leg bands aids in easier identification and tracking of individual peregrine falcons.
• 🛟 The collection of data and documentation on peregrine falcons throughout their lives at institutions like the Field Museum serves as a valuable reference for future research.

Questions & Answers

Q: What led to the decline of the peregrine falcon population in Illinois?

The decline was due to the thinning of eggshells caused by DDT, which resulted in the extinction of breeding peregrines in the area.

Q: How do captive-bred peregrines learn to fly and hunt on their own?

Captive-bred peregrines have the ability to learn these skills without the guidance of adult birds, ensuring their survival in the wild.

Q: What should individuals do if they have breeding peregrine falcons nesting on their high-rise building?

It is recommended to allow the peregrines to nest safely and move to a safer location if necessary, as the peregrines will find another place to nest.

Q: What is the significance of the numbered bands on the peregrines' legs?

The bands, provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service, have unique identification numbers. The larger bands are used for females, as they are generally larger than males. The bands facilitate tracking and research on the peregrine falcon population.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Peregrine Falcon Program was developed in the mid-80s to reintroduce the species to Illinois after it became extinct due to the thinning of eggshells caused by DDT.

• Captive-bred peregrines were released into the wild, and they successfully paired up and bred, even returning to nest on city buildings.

• The program advises individuals who encounter breeding peregrine pairs in urban areas to allow them to nest safely and move to a safer location if necessary.