We in Mid-Michigan are blessed with several pair of Peregrine Falcons that grace our skies. Each year, these fierce, elite predators nest on tall buildings in cities incuding Jackson, Detroit, Kalamazoo, East Lansing and others. WILDSIDE works with the SW Peregrines, and whenever a young one fledges and ends up in a precarious place, usually grounded, it comes to WILDSIDE for flight training and feeding. This year, all 4 fledglings from Kalamazoo were grounded and ended up at WILDSIDE. Besides those 4, 2 other Peregrine Falcons from the Muskegon area from an unknown nest came into rehab as well after being grounded.

These amazing birds flew in the 120′ flight enclosure named Journey’s Passage, became stronger, ate well and in about a week were ready to rejoin their parents. We were all concerned that since the parents had no chicks left with them, that they would accept their babies back, but within minutes, Rebecca, the mom Peregrine, was back feeding the chicks that were replaced at the site. Many thanks to Gail Walters, who endlessly monitors the SW MIchigan birds to be sure everyone is safe.

The 2 Muskegon Peregrine Falcons are still a mystery. No nest has been located, some some adults have been spotted. In the best interest of the 2 falcons, they have been placed with Master Falconers to learn the necessary skills to survive in the wild. The falconers will train and hunt with the birds and release them back into the wild when they are deemed ready.

Peregrine Falcon Facts

Peregrine Falcons are very strong fliers and often reported to be 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 their wings closed, it’s been calculated that Peregrine Falcons can achieve speeds of 238 mph. (From All About Birds)

The Peregrine Falcon has been recovering slowly after populations crashed from 1950-1970 because of DDT poisoning. During this time, the eastern population was extirpated, and it was declared an Endangered Species. Since 1966, populations appear to have stabilized according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. (From All About Birds)